1
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Li L, Liu X, Yang S, Li M, Wu Y, Hu S, Wang W, Jiang A, Zhang Q, Zhang J, Ma X, Hu J, Zhao Q, Liu Y, Li D, Hu J, Yang C, Feng W, Wang X. The HEAT repeat protein HPO-27 is a lysosome fission factor. Nature 2024; 628:630-638. [PMID: 38538795 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07249-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Lysosomes are degradation and signalling centres crucial for homeostasis, development and ageing1. To meet diverse cellular demands, lysosomes remodel their morphology and function through constant fusion and fission2,3. Little is known about the molecular basis of fission. Here we identify HPO-27, a conserved HEAT repeat protein, as a lysosome scission factor in Caenorhabditis elegans. Loss of HPO-27 impairs lysosome fission and leads to an excessive tubular network that ultimately collapses. HPO-27 and its human homologue MROH1 are recruited to lysosomes by RAB-7 and enriched at scission sites. Super-resolution imaging, negative-staining electron microscopy and in vitro reconstitution assays reveal that HPO-27 and MROH1 self-assemble to mediate the constriction and scission of lysosomal tubules in worms and mammalian cells, respectively, and assemble to sever supported membrane tubes in vitro. Loss of HPO-27 affects lysosomal morphology, integrity and degradation activity, which impairs animal development and longevity. Thus, HPO-27 and MROH1 act as self-assembling scission factors to maintain lysosomal homeostasis and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letao Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, and Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Xilu Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Yang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meijiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, and Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming, China
| | - Yanwei Wu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Siqi Hu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Amin Jiang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junbing Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junyan Hu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaohong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, and Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yubing Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Hu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chonglin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, and Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Feng
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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2
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Marmorale LJ, Jin H, Reidy TG, Palomino-Alonso B, Zysnarski CJ, Jordan-Javed F, Lahiri S, Duncan MC. Fast-evolving cofactors regulate the role of HEATR5 complexes in intra-Golgi trafficking. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202309047. [PMID: 38240799 PMCID: PMC10798858 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202309047] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The highly conserved HEATR5 proteins are best known for their roles in membrane traffic mediated by the adaptor protein complex-1 (AP1). HEATR5 proteins rely on fast-evolving cofactors to bind to AP1. However, how HEATR5 proteins interact with these cofactors is unknown. Here, we report that the budding yeast HEATR5 protein, Laa1, functions in two biochemically distinct complexes. These complexes are defined by a pair of mutually exclusive Laa1-binding proteins, Laa2 and the previously uncharacterized Lft1/Yml037c. Despite limited sequence similarity, biochemical analysis and structure predictions indicate that Lft1 and Laa2 bind Laa1 via structurally similar mechanisms. Both Laa1 complexes function in intra-Golgi recycling. However, only the Laa2-Laa1 complex binds to AP1 and contributes to its localization. Finally, structure predictions indicate that human HEATR5 proteins bind to a pair of fast-evolving interacting partners via a mechanism similar to that observed in yeast. These results reveal mechanistic insight into how HEATR5 proteins bind their cofactors and indicate that Laa1 performs functions besides recruiting AP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas J. Marmorale
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Huan Jin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Thomas G. Reidy
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brandon Palomino-Alonso
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Christopher J. Zysnarski
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Fatima Jordan-Javed
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sagar Lahiri
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mara C. Duncan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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3
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Marmorale LJ, Jin H, Reidy TG, Palomino-Alonso B, Zysnarski C, Jordan-Javed F, Lahiri S, Duncan MC. Two functionally distinct HEATR5 protein complexes are defined by fast-evolving co-factors in yeast. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.24.554671. [PMID: 37662263 PMCID: PMC10473696 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
The highly conserved HEATR5 proteins are best known for their roles in membrane traffic mediated by the adaptor protein complex-1 (AP1). HEATR5 proteins rely on fast-evolving co-factors to bind to AP1. However, how HEATR5 proteins interact with these co-factors is unknown. Here, we report that the budding yeast HEATR5 protein, Laa1, functions in two biochemically distinct complexes. These complexes are defined by a pair of mutually exclusive Laa1-binding proteins, Laa2 and the previously uncharacterized Lft1/Yml037c. Despite limited sequence similarity, biochemical analysis and structure predictions indicate that Lft1 and Laa2 bind Laa1 via structurally similar mechanisms. Both Laa1 complexes function in intra-Golgi recycling. However, only the Laa2-Laa1 complex binds to AP1 and contributes to its localization. Finally, structure predictions indicate that human HEATR5 proteins bind to a pair of fast-evolving interacting partners via a mechanism similar to that observed in yeast. These results reveal mechanistic insight into how HEATR5 proteins bind their co-factors and indicate that Laa1 performs functions besides recruiting AP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas J. Marmorale
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
- Present address: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Huan Jin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
| | - Thomas G. Reidy
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
- Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | - Fatima Jordan-Javed
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
| | - Sagar Lahiri
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
| | - Mara C Duncan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
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4
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Kaynak BT, Dahmani ZL, Doruker P, Banerjee A, Yang SH, Gordon R, Itzhaki LS, Bahar I. Cooperative mechanics of PR65 scaffold underlies the allosteric regulation of the phosphatase PP2A. Structure 2023; 31:607-618.e3. [PMID: 36948205 PMCID: PMC10164121 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
PR65, a horseshoe-shaped scaffold composed of 15 HEAT (observed in Huntingtin, elongation factor 3, protein phosphatase 2A, and the yeast kinase TOR1) repeats, forms, together with catalytic and regulatory subunits, the heterotrimeric protein phosphatase PP2A. We examined the role of PR65 in enabling PP2A enzymatic activity with computations at various levels of complexity, including hybrid approaches that combine full-atomic and elastic network models. Our study points to the high flexibility of this scaffold allowing for end-to-end distance fluctuations of 40-50 Å between compact and extended conformations. Notably, the intrinsic dynamics of PR65 facilitates complexation with the catalytic subunit and is retained in the PP2A complex enabling PR65 to engage the two domains of the catalytic subunit and provide the mechanical framework for enzymatic activity, with support from the regulatory subunit. In particular, the intra-repeat coils at the C-terminal arm play an important role in allosterically mediating the collective dynamics of PP2A, pointing to target sites for modulating PR65 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burak T Kaynak
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Zakaria L Dahmani
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Pemra Doruker
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Anupam Banerjee
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, and Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Shang-Hua Yang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Reuven Gordon
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Laura S Itzhaki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Ivet Bahar
- Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, and Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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5
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Friedrich D, Marintchev A, Arthanari H. The metaphorical swiss army knife: The multitude and diverse roles of HEAT domains in eukaryotic translation initiation. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:5424-5442. [PMID: 35552740 PMCID: PMC9177959 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular associations forged by specific interaction among structural scaffolds are fundamental to the control and regulation of cell processes. One such structural architecture, characterized by HEAT repeats, is involved in a multitude of cellular processes, including intracellular transport, signaling, and protein synthesis. Here, we review the multitude and versatility of HEAT domains in the regulation of mRNA translation initiation. Structural and cellular biology approaches, as well as several biophysical studies, have revealed that a number of HEAT domain-mediated interactions with a host of protein factors and RNAs coordinate translation initiation. We describe the basic structural architecture of HEAT domains and briefly introduce examples of the cellular processes they dictate, including nuclear transport by importin and RNA degradation. We then focus on proteins in the translation initiation system featuring HEAT domains, specifically the HEAT domains of eIF4G, DAP5, eIF5, and eIF2Bϵ. Comparative analysis of their remarkably versatile interactions, including protein-protein and protein-RNA recognition, reveal the functional importance of flexible regions within these HEAT domains. Here we outline how HEAT domains orchestrate fundamental aspects of translation initiation and highlight open mechanistic questions in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Friedrich
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Assen Marintchev
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haribabu Arthanari
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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6
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Basu S, Rajendra KC, Alagar S, Bahadur RP. Impaired nuclear transport induced by juvenile ALS causing P525L mutation in NLS domain of FUS: A molecular mechanistic study. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2022; 1870:140766. [PMID: 35134572 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2022.140766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are progressive neurological disorders affecting motor neurons. Cellular aggregates of fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein are found in cytoplasm of ALS and FTLD patients. Nuclear localisation signal (NLS) domain of FUS binds to Karyopherin β2 (Kapβ2), which drives nuclear transport of FUS from cytoplasm. Several pathogenic mutations are reported in FUS NLS, which are associated with its impaired nuclear transport and cytoplasmic mis-localisation. P525L mutation in NLS is most commonly found in cases of juvenile ALS (jALS), which affects individuals below 25 years of age. jALS progresses aggressively causing death within a year of its onset. This study elucidates the molecular mechanism behind jALS-causing P525L mutation hindering nuclear transport of FUS. We perform multiple molecular dynamics simulations in aqueous and hydrophobic solvent to understand the effect of the mutation at molecular level. Dynamics of Kapβ2-FUS complex is better captured in hydrophobic solvent compared to aqueous solvent. P525 and Y526 (PY-motif) of NLS exhibit fine-tuned stereochemical arrangement, which is essential for optimum Kapβ2 binding. P525L causes loss of several native contacts at interface leading to weaker binding, which promotes self-aggregation of FUS in cytoplasm. Native complex samples closed conformation, while mutant complex exhibits open conformation exposing hydrophilic residues of Kapβ2 to hydrophobic solvent. Mutant complex also fails to exhibit spring-like motion essential for its transport through nuclear pore complex. This study provides a mechanistic insight of binding affinity between NLS and Kapβ2 that inhibits self-aggregation of FUS preventing the disease condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmita Basu
- Computational Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - K C Rajendra
- Computational Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Suresh Alagar
- Computational Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Ranjit Prasad Bahadur
- Computational Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India.
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7
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Synakewicz M, Eapen RS, Perez-Riba A, Rowling PJE, Bauer D, Weißl A, Fischer G, Hyvönen M, Rief M, Itzhaki LS, Stigler J. Unraveling the Mechanics of a Repeat-Protein Nanospring: From Folding of Individual Repeats to Fluctuations of the Superhelix. ACS NANO 2022. [PMID: 35258937 DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.27.437344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Tandem-repeat proteins comprise small secondary structure motifs that stack to form one-dimensional arrays with distinctive mechanical properties that are proposed to direct their cellular functions. Here, we use single-molecule optical tweezers to study the folding of consensus-designed tetratricopeptide repeats (CTPRs), superhelical arrays of short helix-turn-helix motifs. We find that CTPRs display a spring-like mechanical response in which individual repeats undergo rapid equilibrium fluctuations between partially folded and unfolded conformations. We rationalize the force response using Ising models and dissect the folding pathway of CTPRs under mechanical load, revealing how the repeat arrays form from the center toward both termini simultaneously. Most strikingly, we also directly observe the protein's superhelical tertiary structure in the force signal. Using protein engineering, crystallography, and single-molecule experiments, we show that the superhelical geometry can be altered by carefully placed amino acid substitutions, and we examine how these sequence changes affect intrinsic repeat stability and inter-repeat coupling. Our findings provide the means to dissect and modulate repeat-protein stability and dynamics, which will be essential for researchers to understand the function of natural repeat proteins and to exploit artificial repeats proteins in nanotechnology and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Synakewicz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom†
| | - Rohan S Eapen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom†
| | - Albert Perez-Riba
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom†
| | - Pamela J E Rowling
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom†
| | - Daniela Bauer
- Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Andreas Weißl
- Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Gerhard Fischer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Rief
- Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Laura S Itzhaki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom†
| | - Johannes Stigler
- Gene Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377 München, Germany
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8
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Synakewicz M, Eapen RS, Perez-Riba A, Rowling PJE, Bauer D, Weißl A, Fischer G, Hyvönen M, Rief M, Itzhaki LS, Stigler J. Unraveling the Mechanics of a Repeat-Protein Nanospring: From Folding of Individual Repeats to Fluctuations of the Superhelix. ACS NANO 2022; 16:3895-3905. [PMID: 35258937 PMCID: PMC8944806 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c09162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Tandem-repeat proteins comprise small secondary structure motifs that stack to form one-dimensional arrays with distinctive mechanical properties that are proposed to direct their cellular functions. Here, we use single-molecule optical tweezers to study the folding of consensus-designed tetratricopeptide repeats (CTPRs), superhelical arrays of short helix-turn-helix motifs. We find that CTPRs display a spring-like mechanical response in which individual repeats undergo rapid equilibrium fluctuations between partially folded and unfolded conformations. We rationalize the force response using Ising models and dissect the folding pathway of CTPRs under mechanical load, revealing how the repeat arrays form from the center toward both termini simultaneously. Most strikingly, we also directly observe the protein's superhelical tertiary structure in the force signal. Using protein engineering, crystallography, and single-molecule experiments, we show that the superhelical geometry can be altered by carefully placed amino acid substitutions, and we examine how these sequence changes affect intrinsic repeat stability and inter-repeat coupling. Our findings provide the means to dissect and modulate repeat-protein stability and dynamics, which will be essential for researchers to understand the function of natural repeat proteins and to exploit artificial repeats proteins in nanotechnology and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Synakewicz
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom
| | - Rohan S. Eapen
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom
| | - Albert Perez-Riba
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela J. E. Rowling
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Bauer
- Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Andreas Weißl
- Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Gerhard Fischer
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Rief
- Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Laura S. Itzhaki
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Stigler
- Gene
Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377 München, Germany
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9
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Neel BL, Nisler CR, Walujkar S, Araya-Secchi R, Sotomayor M. Elastic versus brittle mechanical responses predicted for dimeric cadherin complexes. Biophys J 2022; 121:1013-1028. [PMID: 35151631 PMCID: PMC8943749 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadherins are a superfamily of adhesion proteins involved in a variety of biological processes that include the formation of intercellular contacts, the maintenance of tissue integrity, and the development of neuronal circuits. These transmembrane proteins are characterized by ectodomains composed of a variable number of extracellular cadherin (EC) repeats that are similar but not identical in sequence and fold. E-cadherin, along with desmoglein and desmocollin proteins, are three classical-type cadherins that have slightly curved ectodomains and engage in homophilic and heterophilic interactions through an exchange of conserved tryptophan residues in their N-terminal EC1 repeat. In contrast, clustered protocadherins are straighter than classical cadherins and interact through an antiparallel homophilic binding interface that involves overlapped EC1 to EC4 repeats. Here we present molecular dynamics simulations that model the adhesive domains of these cadherins using available crystal structures, with systems encompassing up to 2.8 million atoms. Simulations of complete classical cadherin ectodomain dimers predict a two-phased elastic response to force in which these complexes first softly unbend and then stiffen to unbind without unfolding. Simulated α, β, and γ clustered protocadherin homodimers lack a two-phased elastic response, are brittle and stiffer than classical cadherins and exhibit complex unbinding pathways that in some cases involve transient intermediates. We propose that these distinct mechanical responses are important for function, with classical cadherin ectodomains acting as molecular shock absorbers and with stiffer clustered protocadherin ectodomains facilitating overlap that favors binding specificity over mechanical resilience. Overall, our simulations provide insights into the molecular mechanics of single cadherin dimers relevant in the formation of cellular junctions essential for tissue function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon L Neel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Collin R Nisler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Sanket Walujkar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Chemical Physics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Raul Araya-Secchi
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcos Sotomayor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Chemical Physics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
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10
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Neel BL, Nisler CR, Walujkar S, Araya-Secchi R, Sotomayor M. Collective mechanical responses of cadherin-based adhesive junctions as predicted by simulations. Biophys J 2022; 121:991-1012. [PMID: 35150618 PMCID: PMC8943820 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadherin-based adherens junctions and desmosomes help stabilize cell-cell contacts with additional function in mechano-signaling, while clustered protocadherin junctions are responsible for directing neuronal circuits assembly. Structural models for adherens junctions formed by epithelial cadherin (CDH1) proteins indicate that their long, curved ectodomains arrange to form a periodic, two-dimensional lattice stabilized by tip-to-tip trans interactions (across junction) and lateral cis contacts. Less is known about the exact architecture of desmosomes, but desmoglein (DSG) and desmocollin (DSC) cadherin proteins are also thought to form ordered junctions. In contrast, clustered protocadherin (PCDH)-based cell-cell contacts in neuronal tissues are thought to be responsible for self-recognition and avoidance, and structural models for clustered PCDH junctions show a linear arrangement in which their long and straight ectodomains form antiparallel overlapped trans complexes. Here, we report all-atom molecular dynamics simulations testing the mechanics of minimalistic adhesive junctions formed by CDH1, DSG2 coupled to DSC1, and PCDHγB4, with systems encompassing up to 3.7 million atoms. Simulations generally predict a favored shearing pathway for the adherens junction model and a two-phased elastic response to tensile forces for the adhesive adherens junction and the desmosome models. Complexes within these junctions first unbend at low tensile force and then become stiff to unbind without unfolding. However, cis interactions in both the CDH1 and DSG2-DSC1 systems dictate varied mechanical responses of individual dimers within the junctions. Conversely, the clustered protocadherin PCDHγB4 junction lacks a distinct two-phased elastic response. Instead, applied tensile force strains trans interactions directly, as there is little unbending of monomers within the junction. Transient intermediates, influenced by new cis interactions, are observed after the main rupture event. We suggest that these collective, complex mechanical responses mediated by cis contacts facilitate distinct functions in robust cell-cell adhesion for classical cadherins and in self-avoidance signaling for clustered PCDHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon L Neel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Collin R Nisler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Sanket Walujkar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Chemical Physics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Raul Araya-Secchi
- Facultad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia, Universidad San Sebastian, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcos Sotomayor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Chemical Physics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
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11
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Matsuda A, Mofrad MRK. On the nuclear pore complex and its emerging role in cellular mechanotransduction. APL Bioeng 2022; 6:011504. [PMID: 35308827 PMCID: PMC8916845 DOI: 10.1063/5.0080480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a large protein assembly that perforates the nuclear envelope and provides a sole gateway for traffic between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The NPC controls the nucleocytoplasmic transport by selectively allowing cargoes such as proteins and mRNA to pass through its central channel, thereby playing a vital role in protecting the nuclear component and regulating gene expression and protein synthesis. The selective transport through the NPC originates from its exquisite molecular structure featuring a large scaffold and the intrinsically disordered central channel domain, but the exact mechanism underlying the selective transport remains elusive and is the subject of various, often conflicting, hypotheses. Moreover, recent studies have suggested a new role for the NPC as a mechanosensor, where the NPC changes its channel diameter depending on the nuclear envelope tension, altering the molecular transportability through this nanopore. In this mini-review, we summarize the current understandings of the selective nature of the NPC and discuss its emerging role in cellular mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Matsuda
- Molecular Cell Biomechanics Laboratory, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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12
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Structure of the Human TELO2-TTI1-TTI2 Complex. J Mol Biol 2021; 434:167370. [PMID: 34838521 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKKs) play critical roles in various metabolic pathways related to cell proliferation and survival. The TELO2-TTI1-TTI2 (TTT) complex has been proposed to recognize newly synthesized PIKKs and to deliver them to the R2TP complex (RUVBL1-RUVBL2-RPAP3-PIH1D1) and the heat shock protein 90 chaperone, thereby supporting their folding and assembly. Here, we determined the cryo-EM structure of the TTT complex at an average resolution of 4.2 Å. We describe the full-length structures of TTI1 and TELO2, and a partial structure of TTI2. All three proteins form elongated helical repeat structures. TTI1 provides a platform on which TELO2 and TTI2 bind to its central region and C-terminal end, respectively. The TELO2 C-terminal domain (CTD) is required for the interaction with TTI1 and recruitment of Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM). The N- and C-terminal segments of TTI1 recognize the FRAP-ATM-TRRAP (FAT) domain and the N-terminal HEAT repeats of ATM, respectively. The TELO2 CTD and TTI1 N- and C-terminal segments are required for cell survival in response to ionizing radiation.
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13
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Kalita J, Kapinos LE, Lim RYH. On the asymmetric partitioning of nucleocytoplasmic transport - recent insights and open questions. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:239102. [PMID: 33912945 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.240382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Macromolecular cargoes are asymmetrically partitioned in the nucleus or cytoplasm by nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT). At the center of this activity lies the nuclear pore complex (NPC), through which soluble factors circulate to orchestrate NCT. These include cargo-carrying importin and exportin receptors from the β-karyopherin (Kapβ) family and the small GTPase Ran, which switches between guanosine triphosphate (GTP)- and guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-bound forms to regulate cargo delivery and compartmentalization. Ongoing efforts have shed considerable light on how these soluble factors traverse the NPC permeability barrier to sustain NCT. However, this does not explain how importins and exportins are partitioned in the cytoplasm and nucleus, respectively, nor how a steep RanGTP-RanGDP gradient is maintained across the nuclear envelope. In this Review, we peel away the multiple layers of control that regulate NCT and juxtapose unresolved features against known aspects of NPC function. Finally, we discuss how NPCs might function synergistically with Kapβs, cargoes and Ran to establish the asymmetry of NCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kalita
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, Basel CH4056, Switzerland
| | - Larisa E Kapinos
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, Basel CH4056, Switzerland
| | - Roderick Y H Lim
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, Basel CH4056, Switzerland
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14
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Srivastava D, Artemyev NO. Ric-8A, a GEF, and a Chaperone for G Protein α-Subunits: Evidence for the Two-Faced Interface. Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900208. [PMID: 31967346 PMCID: PMC7034654 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8A (Ric-8A) is a prominent non-receptor GEF and a chaperone of G protein α-subunits (Gα). Recent studies shed light on the structure of Ric-8A, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying its interaction with Gα. Ric-8A is composed of a core armadillo-like domain and a flexible C-terminal tail. Interaction of a conserved concave surface of its core domain with the Gα C-terminus appears to mediate formation of the initial Ric-8A/GαGDP intermediate, followed by the formation of a stable nucleotide-free complex. The latter event involves a large-scale dislocation of the Gα α5-helix that produces an extensive primary interface and disrupts the nucleotide-binding site of Gα. The distal portion of the C-terminal tail of Ric-8A forms a smaller secondary interface, which ostensibly binds the switch II region of Gα, facilitating binding of GTP. The two-site Gα interface of Ric-8A is distinct from that of GPCRs, and might have evolved to support the chaperone function of Ric-8A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiraj Srivastava
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Nikolai O. Artemyev
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
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15
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Zhang Y, Zhao C, Cao B, Ye J, Huang H, Hu L, Tian W, He X. Structural insights into the intramolecular interactions of centromere protein CENP-I. J Mol Recognit 2020; 33:e2837. [PMID: 32017295 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In mitosis, the accurate segregation of sister chromosomes relies on kinetochore, a multiple subunits complex assembled on centromere of each sister chromosome. As a core component of inner kinetochore, CENP-I plays important functions to mediate kinetochore assembly and supports the faithful chromosome segregation. The structures of the N-terminus and C-terminus of CENP-I homologs in complex with CENP-H/K have been reported, respectively. Unfortunately, the intramolecular interactions of CENP-I are poorly understood, and how CENP-I interacts with CENP-M remains unknown. Here, we verified a unique helix α11, which forms the intramolecular interactions with N-terminal HEAT repeats in fungal CENP-I. Deletion of the helix α11 exposed the hydrophobic surface and resulted in the in vitro protein aggregation of N-terminal HEAT repeats of fungal CENP-I. The corresponding helix and its intramolecular interaction are highly conserved in human CENP-I. Deletion of the corresponding helix in human CENP-I dramatically reduced the functional activity to interact with CENP-H and CENP-M. Mutations of the conserved residues on the helix in human CENP-I significantly weakened the binding to CENP-M, but not CENP-H, in HeLa cells. Therefore, our findings for the first time unveiled a conserved helix of CENP-I, which is important for the intramolecular interaction and function, and would be helpful for understanding the structure basis of how CENP-I mediates the kinetochore assembly during cell cycle and mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Congcong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Beibei Cao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingjing Ye
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liqiao Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Tian
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaojing He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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16
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Llabrés S, Tsenkov MI, MacGowan SA, Barton GJ, Zachariae U. Disease related single point mutations alter the global dynamics of a tetratricopeptide (TPR) α-solenoid domain. J Struct Biol 2020; 209:107405. [PMID: 31628985 PMCID: PMC6961204 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2019.107405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) proteins belong to the class of α-solenoid proteins, in which repetitive units of α-helical hairpin motifs stack to form superhelical, often highly flexible structures. TPR domains occur in a wide variety of proteins, and perform key functional roles including protein folding, protein trafficking, cell cycle control and post-translational modification. Here, we look at the TPR domain of the enzyme O-linked GlcNAc-transferase (OGT), which catalyses O-GlcNAcylation of a broad range of substrate proteins. A number of single-point mutations in the TPR domain of human OGT have been associated with the disease Intellectual Disability (ID). By extended steered and equilibrium atomistic simulations, we show that the OGT-TPR domain acts as an elastic nanospring, and that each of the ID-related local mutations substantially affect the global dynamics of the TPR domain. Since the nanospring character of the OGT-TPR domain is key to its function in binding and releasing OGT substrates, these changes of its biomechanics likely lead to defective substrate interaction. We find that neutral mutations in the human population, selected by analysis of the gnomAD database, do not incur these changes. Our findings may not only help to explain the ID phenotype of the mutants, but also aid the design of TPR proteins with tailored biomechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salomé Llabrés
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Maxim I Tsenkov
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Stuart A MacGowan
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Geoffrey J Barton
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ulrich Zachariae
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK; Physics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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17
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Manalastas-Cantos K, Kschonsak M, Haering CH, Svergun DI. Solution structure and flexibility of the condensin HEAT-repeat subunit Ycg1. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:13822-13829. [PMID: 31350339 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.008661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
High-resolution structural analysis of flexible proteins is frequently challenging and requires the synergistic application of different experimental techniques. For these proteins, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) allows for a quantitative assessment and modeling of potentially flexible and heterogeneous structural states. Here, we report SAXS characterization of the condensin HEAT-repeat subunit Ycg1Cnd3 in solution, complementing currently available high-resolution crystallographic models. We show that the free Ycg1 subunit is flexible in solution but becomes considerably more rigid when bound to its kleisin-binding partner protein Brn1Cnd2 The analysis of SAXS and dynamic and static multiangle light scattering data furthermore reveals that Ycg1 tends to oligomerize with increasing concentrations in the absence of Brn1. Based on these data, we present a model of the free Ycg1 protein constructed by normal mode analysis, as well as tentative models of Ycg1 dimers and tetramers. These models enable visualization of the conformational transitions that Ycg1 has to undergo to adopt a closed rigid shape and thereby create a DNA-binding surface in the condensin complex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marc Kschonsak
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | | | - Dmitri I Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg 22607, Germany
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18
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Nichols MH, Corces VG. A tethered-inchworm model of SMC DNA translocation. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2018; 25:906-910. [PMID: 30250225 PMCID: PMC6311135 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-018-0135-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The DNA loop extrusion model is a provocative new concept explaining the formation of chromatin loops that revolutionizes understanding of genome organization. Central to this model is the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) protein family, which is now thought to function as a DNA motor. In this Perspective, we review and reinterpret the current knowledge of SMC structure and function and propose a novel mechanism for SMC motor activity.
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19
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Bhattacharya S, Ainavarapu SRK. Mechanical Softening of a Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Protein Due to Temperature Induced Flexibility at the Core. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:9128-9136. [PMID: 30204456 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b06844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the growing interest in the thermal softening of proteins, the mechanistic details of it are far from understood. β-Grasp proteins have globular shape with compact structure and they are mechanically resilient. The β-clamp or mechanical clamp in them formed by the interactions between the terminal β-strands is generally associated with the protein mechanical resistance. Although previous studies showed that temperature can perturb the protein mechanical stability, the structural changes leading to the lowered mechanical resistance are not known. Here, we investigated the temperature dependent mechanical stability of small ubiquitin-related modifier 2 (SUMO2) using single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) and the corresponding conformational changes using ensemble experiments. SMFS studies on the polyprotein of SUMO2 estimate a decrease in the spring constant of the protein from 4.50 to 1.35 N/m upon increasing the temperature from 5 to 45 °C. Interestingly, near-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy reveals a decrease in tertiary structure content while the overall secondary structure of the protein remains unchanged. Steady-state fluorescence and quenching studies on SUMO2 with a tryptophan mutation at the core (F60W) show that the nonpolar environment of the tryptophan is unchanged and the protein core is inaccessible to the bulk solvent, in the same temperature range. We attribute the thermal softening observed in atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments to the reduction in tertiary structure of SUMO2. Our results provide evidence for the importance of the intramolecular interactions at the protein core along with the β-clamp or mechanical clamp in providing the mechanical resistance as well as in modulating the protein stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrabasti Bhattacharya
- Department of Chemical Sciences , Tata Institute of Fundamental Research , Dr Homi Bhabha Road , Colaba, Mumbai 400005 , India
| | - Sri Rama Koti Ainavarapu
- Department of Chemical Sciences , Tata Institute of Fundamental Research , Dr Homi Bhabha Road , Colaba, Mumbai 400005 , India
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20
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Mechanical variations in proteins with large-scale motions highlight the formation of structural locks. J Struct Biol 2018; 203:195-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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21
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The O-GlcNAc Transferase Intellectual Disability Mutation L254F Distorts the TPR Helix. Cell Chem Biol 2018; 25:513-518.e4. [PMID: 29606577 PMCID: PMC5967971 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
O-linked β-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) regulates protein O-GlcNAcylation, an essential post-translational modification that is abundant in the brain. Recently, OGT mutations have been associated with intellectual disability, although it is not understood how they affect OGT structure and function. Using a multi-disciplinary approach we show that the L254F OGT mutation leads to conformational changes of the tetratricopeptide repeats and reduced activity, revealing the molecular mechanisms contributing to pathogenesis. The intellectual disability L254F mutation in OGT affects activity The L254F mutation leads to shifts up to 12 Å in the OGT structure Thermal denaturing studies reveal reduction in TPR stability caused by L254F Simulations suggest the presence of alternate TPRL254F conformations
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22
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Díaz-Santín LM, Lukoyanova N, Aciyan E, Cheung AC. Cryo-EM structure of the SAGA and NuA4 coactivator subunit Tra1 at 3.7 angstrom resolution. eLife 2017; 6:28384. [PMID: 28767037 PMCID: PMC5576489 DOI: 10.7554/elife.28384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Coactivator complexes SAGA and NuA4 stimulate transcription by post-translationally modifying chromatin. Both complexes contain the Tra1 subunit, a highly conserved 3744-residue protein from the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family and a direct target for multiple sequence-specific activators. We present the Cryo-EM structure of Saccharomyces cerevsisae Tra1 to 3.7 Å resolution, revealing an extensive network of alpha-helical solenoids organized into a diamond ring conformation and is strikingly reminiscent of DNA-PKcs, suggesting a direct role for Tra1 in DNA repair. The structure was fitted into an existing SAGA EM reconstruction and reveals limited contact surfaces to Tra1, hence it does not act as a molecular scaffold within SAGA. Mutations that affect activator targeting are distributed across the Tra1 structure, but also cluster within the N-terminal Finger region, indicating the presence of an activator interaction site. The structure of Tra1 is a key milestone in deciphering the mechanism of multiple coactivator complexes. Inside our cells, histone proteins package and condense DNA so that it can fit into the cell nucleus. However, this also switches off the genes, since the machines that read and interpret them can no longer access the underlying DNA. Turning genes on requires specific enzymes that chemically modify the histone proteins to regain access to the DNA. This must be carefully controlled, otherwise the ‘wrong’ genes can be activated, causing undesired effects and endangering the cell. Histone modifying enzymes often reside in large protein complexes. Two well-known examples are the SAGA and NuA4 complexes. Both have different roles during gene activation, but share a protein called Tra1. This protein enables SAGA and NuA4 to act on specific genes by binding to ‘activator proteins’ that are found on the DNA. Tra1 is one of the biggest proteins in the cell, but its size makes it difficult to study and until now, its structure was unknown. To determine the structure of Tra1, Díaz-Santín et al. extracted the protein from baker’s yeast, and examined it using electron microscopy. The structure of Tra1 resembled a diamond ring with multiple protein domains that correspond to a band, setting and a centre stone. The structure was detailed enough so that Díaz-Santín et al. could locate various mutations that affect the role of Tra1. These locations are likely to be direct interfaces to the ‘activator proteins’. Moreover, the study showed that Tra1 was similar to another protein that repairs damaged DNA. These results suggest that Tra1 not only works as an activator target, but may also have a role in repairing damaged DNA, and might even connect these two processes. Yeast Tra1 is also very similar to its human counterpart, which has been shown to stimulate cells to become cancerous. Further studies based on these results may help us understand how cancer begins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Miguel Díaz-Santín
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Lukoyanova
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emir Aciyan
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Cm Cheung
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
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23
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Yoshimura SH, Hirano T. HEAT repeats - versatile arrays of amphiphilic helices working in crowded environments? J Cell Sci 2016; 129:3963-3970. [PMID: 27802131 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.185710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular proteins do not work in isolation. Instead, they often function as part of large macromolecular complexes, which are transported and concentrated into specific cellular compartments and function in a highly crowded environment. A central theme of modern cell biology is to understand how such macromolecular complexes are assembled efficiently and find their destinations faithfully. In this Opinion article, we will focus on HEAT repeats, flexible arrays of amphiphilic helices found in many eukaryotic proteins, such as karyopherins and condensins, and discuss how these uniquely designed helical repeats might underlie dynamic protein-protein interactions and support cellular functions in crowded environments. We will make bold speculations on functional similarities between the action of HEAT repeats and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in macromolecular phase separation. Potential contributions of HEAT-HEAT interactions, as well as cooperation between HEATs and IDRs, to mesoscale organelle assembly will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shige H Yoshimura
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hirano
- Chromosome Dynamics Laboratory, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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24
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Yedidi RS, Fatehi AK, Enenkel C. Proteasome dynamics between proliferation and quiescence stages of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 51:497-512. [PMID: 27677933 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2016.1230087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a critical role in cellular protein homeostasis and is required for the turnover of short-lived and unwanted proteins, which are targeted by poly-ubiquitination for degradation. Proteasome is the key protease of UPS and consists of multiple subunits, which are organized into a catalytic core particle (CP) and a regulatory particle (RP). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, proteasome holo-enzymes are engaged in degrading poly-ubiquitinated substrates and are mostly localized in the nucleus during cell proliferation. While in quiescence, the RP and CP are sequestered into motile and reversible storage granules in the cytoplasm, called proteasome storage granules (PSGs). The reversible nature of PSGs allows the proteasomes to be transported back into the nucleus upon exit from quiescence. Nuclear import of RP and CP through nuclear pores occurs via the canonical pathway that includes the importin-αβ heterodimer and takes advantage of the Ran-GTP gradient across the nuclear membrane. Dependent on the growth stage, either inactive precursor complexes or mature holo-enzymes are imported into the nucleus. The present review discusses the dynamics of proteasomes including their assembly, nucleo-cytoplasmic transport during proliferation and the sequestration of proteasomes into PSGs during quiescence. [Formula: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cordula Enenkel
- a Department of Biochemistry , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada
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25
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Rauhut R, Fabrizio P, Dybkov O, Hartmuth K, Pena V, Chari A, Kumar V, Lee CT, Urlaub H, Kastner B, Stark H, Lührmann R. Molecular architecture of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae activated spliceosome. Science 2016; 353:1399-1405. [PMID: 27562955 DOI: 10.1126/science.aag1906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The activated spliceosome (Bact) is in a catalytically inactive state and is remodeled into a catalytically active machine by the RNA helicase Prp2, but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we describe a 3D electron cryomicroscopy structure of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bact complex at 5.8-angstrom resolution. Our model reveals that in Bact, the catalytic U2/U6 RNA-Prp8 ribonucleoprotein core is already established, and the 5' splice site (ss) is oriented for step 1 catalysis but occluded by protein. The first-step nucleophile-the branchsite adenosine-is sequestered within the Hsh155 HEAT domain and is held 50 angstroms away from the 5'ss. Our structure suggests that Prp2 adenosine triphosphatase-mediated remodeling leads to conformational changes in Hsh155's HEAT domain that liberate the first-step reactants for catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Rauhut
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patrizia Fabrizio
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Olexandr Dybkov
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Hartmuth
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Vladimir Pena
- Research Group Macromolecular Crystallography, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ashwin Chari
- 3D Electron Cryomicroscopy Group, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Chung-Tien Lee
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany. Bioanalytics Group, Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany. Bioanalytics Group, Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Berthold Kastner
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Holger Stark
- 3D Electron Cryomicroscopy Group, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany. Department of 3D Electron Cryomicroscopy, Georg-August Universität, Göttingen, Justus von-Liebig-Weg 11, D-37077 Germany.
| | - Reinhard Lührmann
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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26
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Bending-Twisting Motions and Main Interactions in Nucleoplasmin Nuclear Import. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157162. [PMID: 27258022 PMCID: PMC4892583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha solenoid proteins play a key role in regulating the classical nuclear import pathway, recognizing a target protein and transporting it into the nucleus. Importin-α (Impα) is the solenoid responsible for cargo protein recognition, and it has been extensively studied by X-ray crystallography to understand the binding specificity. To comprehend the main motions of Impα and to extend the information about the critical interactions during carrier-cargo recognition, we surveyed different conformational states based on molecular dynamics (MD) and normal mode (NM) analyses. Our model of study was a crystallographic structure of Impα complexed with the classical nuclear localization sequence (cNLS) from nucleoplasmin (Npl), which was submitted to multiple 100 ns of MD simulations. Representative conformations were selected for calculating the 87 lowest frequencies NMs of vibration, and a displacement approach was applied along each NM. Based on geometric criteria, using the radius of curvature and inter-repeat angles as the reference metrics, the main motions of Impα were described. Moreover, we determined the salt bridges, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions in the Impα-NplNLS interface. Our results show the bending and twisting motions participating in the recognition of nuclear proteins, allowing the accommodation and adjustment of a classical bipartite NLS sequence. The essential contacts for the nuclear import were also described and were mostly in agreement with previous studies, suggesting that the residues in the cNLS linker region establish important contacts with Impα adjusting the cNLS backbone. The MD simulations combined with NM analysis can be applied to the Impα-NLS system to help understand interactions between Impα and cNLSs and the analysis of non-classic NLSs.
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27
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Tauchert MJ, Hémonnot C, Neumann P, Köster S, Ficner R, Dickmanns A. Impact of the crystallization condition on importin-β conformation. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2016; 72:705-17. [DOI: 10.1107/s2059798316004940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, the exchange of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm is highly selective and requires specialized soluble transport factors. Many of them belong to the importin-β superfamily, the members of which share an overall superhelical structure owing to the tandem arrangement of a specific motif, the HEAT repeat. This structural organization leads to great intrinsic flexibility, which in turn is a prerequisite for the interaction with a variety of proteins and for its transport function. During the passage from the aqueous cytosol into the nucleus, the receptor passes the gated channel of the nuclear pore complex filled with a protein meshwork of unknown organization, which seems to be highly selective owing to the presence of FG-repeats, which are peptides with hydrophobic patches. Here, the structural changes of free importin-β from a single organism, crystallized in polar (salt) or apolar (PEG) buffer conditions, are reported. This allowed analysis of the structural changes, which are attributable to the surrounding milieu and are not affected by bound interaction partners. The importin-β structures obtained exhibit significant conformational changes and suggest an influence of the polarity of the environment, resulting in an extended conformation in the PEG condition. The significance of this observation is supported by SAXS experiments and the analysis of other crystal structures of importin-β deposited in the Protein Data Bank.
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28
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Halder K, Dölker N, Van Q, Gregor I, Dickmanns A, Baade I, Kehlenbach RH, Ficner R, Enderlein J, Grubmüller H, Neumann H. MD simulations and FRET reveal an environment-sensitive conformational plasticity of importin-β. Biophys J 2016. [PMID: 26200863 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear pore complex mediates nucleocytoplasmic transport of macromolecules in eukaryotic cells. Transport through the pore is restricted by a hydrophobic selectivity filter comprising disordered phenylalanine-glycine-rich repeats of nuclear pore proteins. Exchange through the pore requires specialized transport receptors, called exportins and importins, that interact with cargo proteins in a RanGTP-dependent manner. These receptors are highly flexible superhelical structures composed of HEAT-repeat motifs that adopt various degrees of extension in crystal structures. Here, we performed molecular-dynamics simulations using crystal structures of Importin-β in its free form or in complex with nuclear localization signal peptides as the starting conformation. Our simulations predicted that initially compact structures would adopt extended conformations in hydrophilic buffers, while contracted conformations would dominate in more hydrophobic solutions, mimicking the environment of the nuclear pore. We confirmed this experimentally by Förster resonance energy transfer experiments using dual-fluorophore-labeled Importin-β. These observations explain seemingly contradictory crystal structures and suggest a possible mechanism for cargo protection during passage of the nuclear pore. Such hydrophobic switching may be a general principle for environmental control of protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangkan Halder
- Free Floater (Junior) Research Group "Applied Synthetic Biology", Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nicole Dölker
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Qui Van
- Third Institute of Physics-Biophysics, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ingo Gregor
- Third Institute of Physics-Biophysics, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Achim Dickmanns
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Imke Baade
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ralph H Kehlenbach
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ralf Ficner
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Enderlein
- Third Institute of Physics-Biophysics, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Helmut Grubmüller
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Heinz Neumann
- Free Floater (Junior) Research Group "Applied Synthetic Biology", Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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29
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Bachmann G, Richards MW, Winter A, Beuron F, Morris E, Bayliss R. A closed conformation of the Caenorhabditis elegans separase-securin complex. Open Biol 2016; 6:160032. [PMID: 27249343 PMCID: PMC4852461 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The protease separase plays a key role in sister chromatid disjunction and centriole disengagement. To maintain genomic stability, separase activity is strictly regulated by binding of an inhibitory protein, securin. Despite its central role in cell division, the separase and securin complex is poorly understood at the structural level. This is partly owing to the difficulty of generating a sufficient quantity of homogeneous, stable protein. Here, we report the production of Caenorhabditis elegans separase-securin complex, and its characterization using biochemical methods and by negative staining electron microscopy. Single particle analysis generated a density map at a resolution of 21-24 Å that reveals a close, globular structure of complex connectivity harbouring two lobes. One lobe matches closely a homology model of the N-terminal HEAT repeat domain of separase, whereas the second lobe readily accommodates homology models of the separase C-terminal death and caspase-like domains. The globular structure of the C. elegans separase-securin complex contrasts with the more elongated structure previously described for the Homo sapiens complex, which could represent a different functional state of the complex, suggesting a mechanism for the regulation of separase activity through conformational change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gudrun Bachmann
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Mark W Richards
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE2 9HN, UK Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Anja Winter
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE2 9HN, UK
| | - Fabienne Beuron
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Edward Morris
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Richard Bayliss
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE2 9HN, UK Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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30
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Loveland KL, Major AT, Butler R, Young JC, Jans DA, Miyamoto Y. Putting things in place for fertilization: discovering roles for importin proteins in cell fate and spermatogenesis. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:537-44. [PMID: 25994647 PMCID: PMC4492042 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.154310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Importin proteins were originally characterized for their central role in protein transport through the nuclear pores, the only intracellular entry to the nucleus. This vital function must be tightly regulated to control access by transcription factors and other nuclear proteins to genomic DNA, to achieve appropriate modulation of cellular behaviors affecting cell fate. Importin-mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport relies on their specific recognition of cargoes, with each importin binding to distinct and overlapping protein subsets. Knowledge of importin function has expanded substantially in regard to three key developmental systems: embryonic stem cells, muscle cells and the germ line. In the decade since the potential for regulated nucleocytoplasmic transport to contribute to spermatogenesis was proposed, we and others have shown that the importins that ferry transcription factors into the nucleus perform additional roles, which control cell fate. This review presents key findings from studies of mammalian spermatogenesis that reveal potential new pathways by which male fertility and infertility arise. These studies of germline genesis illuminate new ways in which importin proteins govern cellular differentiation, including via directing proteins to distinct intracellular compartments and by determining cellular stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Loveland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University; Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre; School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia,
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31
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Chandrasekaran P, Rajasekaran R. Detailed computational analysis revealed mutation V210I on PrP induced conformational conversion on β2–α2 loop and α2–α3. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 12:3223-33. [DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00342g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The development of fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) is associated with the conformational conversion of the normal cellular prion protein, PrPC, into its pathogenic isoform, PrPSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Chandrasekaran
- Computational Biology Lab
- Department of Biotechnology
- School of Biosciences and Technology
- VIT University
- Vellore 632 014
| | - R. Rajasekaran
- Computational Biology Lab
- Department of Biotechnology
- School of Biosciences and Technology
- VIT University
- Vellore 632 014
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32
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Cohen SS, Riven I, Cortajarena AL, De Rosa L, D’Andrea LD, Regan L, Haran G. Probing the Molecular Origin of Native-State Flexibility in Repeat Proteins. J Am Chem Soc 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b06160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sharona S. Cohen
- Chemical
Physics Department, Weizmann institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Inbal Riven
- Chemical
Physics Department, Weizmann institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Aitziber L. Cortajarena
- IMDEA
Nanociencia, CNB-CSIC-IMDEA Nanociencia Associated Unit “Unidad
de Nanobiotecnología”, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto
di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luca D. D’Andrea
- Istituto
di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Lynne Regan
- Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Gilad Haran
- Chemical
Physics Department, Weizmann institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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33
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Kinoshita K, Kobayashi TJ, Hirano T. Balancing acts of two HEAT subunits of condensin I support dynamic assembly of chromosome axes. Dev Cell 2015; 33:94-106. [PMID: 25850674 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2015.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Condensin I is a five-subunit protein complex that plays a central role in mitotic chromosome assembly and segregation in eukaryotes. To dissect its mechanism of action, we reconstituted wild-type and mutant complexes from recombinant subunits and tested their abilities to assemble chromosomes in Xenopus egg cell-free extracts depleted of endogenous condensins. We find that ATP binding and hydrolysis by SMC subunits have distinct contributions to the action of condensin I and that continuous ATP hydrolysis is required for structural maintenance of chromosomes. Mutant complexes lacking either one of two HEAT subunits produce abnormal chromosomes with highly characteristic defects and have contrasting structural effects on chromosome axes preassembled with the wild-type complex. We propose that balancing acts of the two HEAT subunits support dynamic assembly of chromosome axes under the control of the SMC ATPase cycle, thereby governing construction of rod-shaped chromosomes in eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhisa Kinoshita
- Chromosome Dynamics Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Tetsuya J Kobayashi
- Institute of Industrial Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hirano
- Chromosome Dynamics Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
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34
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Molecular determinants for nuclear import of influenza A PB2 by importin α isoforms 3 and 7. Structure 2015; 23:374-84. [PMID: 25599645 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2014.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Influenza A virus polymerase subunit PB2 is a major virulence determinant implicated in pathogenicity and host adaptation. During cross-species virus transfer from avian to mammalian cells, PB2 switches specificity from importin α3 to α7. This specificity is not recapitulated in vitro, where PB2 binds all importin α isoforms with comparably high affinity. In this study, we investigated the structure, conformational dynamics, and autoinhibition of importin α isoforms 1, 3, and 7 in complex with PB2. Our data suggest that association of PB2 with α3 and α7 is favored by reduced autoinhibition of these isoforms and by the unique structure of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) domain of PB2. We propose that by recruiting importin α3 or α7 in the absence of importin β, PB2 reduces the complexity of adaptor-mediated import to a pseudo-bimolecular reaction, thereby acquiring a kinetic advantage over classical NLS cargos, which form an import complex only when importin α and β are simultaneously available.
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35
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Mesarich CH, Bowen JK, Hamiaux C, Templeton MD. Repeat-containing protein effectors of plant-associated organisms. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 6:872. [PMID: 26557126 PMCID: PMC4617103 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Many plant-associated organisms, including microbes, nematodes, and insects, deliver effector proteins into the apoplast, vascular tissue, or cell cytoplasm of their prospective hosts. These effectors function to promote colonization, typically by altering host physiology or by modulating host immune responses. The same effectors however, can also trigger host immunity in the presence of cognate host immune receptor proteins, and thus prevent colonization. To circumvent effector-triggered immunity, or to further enhance host colonization, plant-associated organisms often rely on adaptive effector evolution. In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that several effectors of plant-associated organisms are repeat-containing proteins (RCPs) that carry tandem or non-tandem arrays of an amino acid sequence or structural motif. In this review, we highlight the diverse roles that these repeat domains play in RCP effector function. We also draw attention to the potential role of these repeat domains in adaptive evolution with regards to RCP effector function and the evasion of effector-triggered immunity. The aim of this review is to increase the profile of RCP effectors from plant-associated organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl H. Mesarich
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of AucklandAuckland, New Zealand
- Host–Microbe Interactions, Bioprotection, The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LtdAuckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Carl H. Mesarich
| | - Joanna K. Bowen
- Host–Microbe Interactions, Bioprotection, The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LtdAuckland, New Zealand
| | - Cyril Hamiaux
- Human Responses, The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedAuckland, New Zealand
| | - Matthew D. Templeton
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of AucklandAuckland, New Zealand
- Host–Microbe Interactions, Bioprotection, The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LtdAuckland, New Zealand
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36
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Raveh B. A backdoor to the nucleus that runs in the family? Structure 2014; 22:1693-1694. [PMID: 25470426 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Yoshimura and colleagues show that HEAT proteins that are involved in diverse cellular functions may facilitate their own translocation through the nuclear pore complex, owing to their structural similarity to nuclear transport receptors of the karyopherin β family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barak Raveh
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Byers Halls, 1700 4(th) Street, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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37
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Thermally-induced structural changes in an armadillo repeat protein suggest a novel thermosensor mechanism in a molecular chaperone. FEBS Lett 2014; 589:123-30. [PMID: 25436418 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
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.
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38
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Kumar R, Grubmüller H. Elastic properties and heterogeneous stiffness of the phi29 motor connector channel. Biophys J 2014; 106:1338-48. [PMID: 24655509 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA packaging motor of the bacteriophage ϕ29, comprising head-tail connector, ATPase, and pRNA, transports the viral DNA inside the procapsid against pressure differences of up to ∼60 atm during replication. Several models for the DNA packaging mechanism have been proposed, which attribute different roles to the connector, and require specific mechanical properties of the connector. To characterize these properties at the atomic level, and to understand how the connector withstands this large pressure, we have carried out molecular dynamics simulations of the whole connector both in equilibrium and under mechanical stress. The simulations revealed a quite heterogeneous distribution of stiff and soft regions, resembling that of typical composite materials that are also optimized to resist mechanical stress. In particular, the conserved middle α-helical region is found to be remarkably stiff, similar only to structural proteins forming viral shell, silk, or collagen. In contrast, large parts of the peripheral interface to the ϕ29 procapsid turned out to be rather soft. Force probe and umbrella sampling simulations showed that large connector deformations are remarkably reversible, and served to calculate the free energies required for these deformations. In particular, for an untwisting deformation by 12°, as postulated by the untwist-twist model, more than four times' larger energy is required than is available from hydrolysis of one ATP molecule. Combined with previous experiments, this result is incompatible with the untwist-twist model. In contrast, our simulations support the recently proposed one-way revolution model and suggest in structural terms how the connector blocks DNA leakage. In particular, conserved loops at the rim of the central channel, which are in direct contact with the DNA, are found to be rather flexible and tightly anchored to the rigid central region. These findings suggest a check-valve mechanism, with the flexible loops obstructing the channel by interacting with the viral DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendra Kumar
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Helmut Grubmüller
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Göttingen, Germany.
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39
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Diggle CP, Moore DJ, Mali G, zur Lage P, Ait-Lounis A, Schmidts M, Shoemark A, Garcia Munoz A, Halachev MR, Gautier P, Yeyati PL, Bonthron DT, Carr IM, Hayward B, Markham AF, Hope JE, von Kriegsheim A, Mitchison HM, Jackson IJ, Durand B, Reith W, Sheridan E, Jarman AP, Mill P. HEATR2 plays a conserved role in assembly of the ciliary motile apparatus. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004577. [PMID: 25232951 PMCID: PMC4168999 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cilia are highly conserved microtubule-based structures that perform a variety of sensory and motility functions during development and adult homeostasis. In humans, defects specifically affecting motile cilia lead to chronic airway infections, infertility and laterality defects in the genetically heterogeneous disorder Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). Using the comparatively simple Drosophila system, in which mechanosensory neurons possess modified motile cilia, we employed a recently elucidated cilia transcriptional RFX-FOX code to identify novel PCD candidate genes. Here, we report characterization of CG31320/HEATR2, which plays a conserved critical role in forming the axonemal dynein arms required for ciliary motility in both flies and humans. Inner and outer arm dyneins are absent from axonemes of CG31320 mutant flies and from PCD individuals with a novel splice-acceptor HEATR2 mutation. Functional conservation of closely arranged RFX-FOX binding sites upstream of HEATR2 orthologues may drive higher cytoplasmic expression of HEATR2 during early motile ciliogenesis. Immunoprecipitation reveals HEATR2 interacts with DNAI2, but not HSP70 or HSP90, distinguishing it from the client/chaperone functions described for other cytoplasmic proteins required for dynein arm assembly such as DNAAF1-4. These data implicate CG31320/HEATR2 in a growing intracellular pre-assembly and transport network that is necessary to deliver functional dynein machinery to the ciliary compartment for integration into the motile axoneme.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J. Moore
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Girish Mali
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Petra zur Lage
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Aouatef Ait-Lounis
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Schmidts
- Molecular Medicine Unit and Birth Defect Research Center, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amelia Shoemark
- Paediatric Respiratory Department, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amaya Garcia Munoz
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mihail R. Halachev
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Philippe Gautier
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia L. Yeyati
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian M. Carr
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Bruce Hayward
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jilly E. Hope
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hannah M. Mitchison
- Molecular Medicine Unit and Birth Defect Research Center, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian J. Jackson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bénédicte Durand
- Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UMR 5534 CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Walter Reith
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eamonn Sheridan
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ES); (APJ); (PM)
| | - Andrew P. Jarman
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ES); (APJ); (PM)
| | - Pleasantine Mill
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ES); (APJ); (PM)
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40
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Monecke T, Dickmanns A, Ficner R. Allosteric control of the exportin CRM1 unraveled by crystal structure analysis. FEBS J 2014; 281:4179-94. [PMID: 24823279 PMCID: PMC4231977 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking in eukaryotic cells is a highly regulated and coordinated process which involves an increasing variety of soluble nuclear transport receptors. Generally, transport receptors specifically bind their cargo and facilitate its transition through nuclear pore complexes, aqueous channels connecting the two compartments. Directionality of such transport events by receptors of the importin β superfamily requires the interaction with the small GTPase Ras-related nuclear antigen (Ran). While importins need RanGTP to release their cargo in the nucleus and thus to terminate import, exportins recruit cargo in the RanGTP-bound state. The exportin chromosome region maintenance 1 (CRM1) is a highly versatile transport receptor that exports a plethora of different protein and RNP cargoes. Moreover, binding of RanGTP and of cargo to CRM1 are highly cooperative events despite the fact that cargo and RanGTP do not interact directly in crystal structures of assembled export complexes. Integrative approaches have recently unraveled the individual steps of the CRM1 transport cycle at a structural level and explained how the HEAT-repeat architecture of CRM1 provides a framework for the key elements to mediate allosteric interactions with RanGTP, Ran binding proteins and cargo. Moreover, during the last decade, CRM1 has become a more and more appreciated target for anti-cancer drugs. Hence, detailed understanding of the flexibility, the regulatory features and the positive binding cooperativity between CRM1, Ran and cargo is a prerequisite for the development of highly effective drugs. Here we review recent structural advances in the characterization of CRM1 and CRM1-containing complexes with a special emphasis on X-ray crystallographic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Monecke
- Abteilung für Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany
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41
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Casey LW, Mark AE, Kobe B. Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering for the Discerning Macromolecular Crystallographer. Aust J Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1071/ch14396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The role of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in structural biology is now well established, and its usefulness in combination with macromolecular crystallography is clear. However, the highly averaged SAXS data present a significant risk of over-interpretation to the unwary practitioner, and it can be challenging to frame SAXS results in a manner that maximises the reliability of the conclusions drawn. In this review, a series of recent examples are used to illustrate both the challenges for interpretation and approaches through which these can be overcome.
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42
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Abstract
Alpha-solenoids are flexible protein structural domains formed by ensembles of alpha-helical repeats (Armadillo and HEAT repeats among others). While homology can be used to detect many of these repeats, some alpha-solenoids have very little sequence homology to proteins of known structure and we expect that many remain undetected. We previously developed a method for detection of alpha-helical repeats based on a neural network trained on a dataset of protein structures. Here we improved the detection algorithm and updated the training dataset using recently solved structures of alpha-solenoids. Unexpectedly, we identified occurrences of alpha-solenoids in solved protein structures that escaped attention, for example within the core of the catalytic subunit of PI3KC. Our results expand the current set of known alpha-solenoids. Application of our tool to the protein universe allowed us to detect their significant enrichment in proteins interacting with many proteins, confirming that alpha-solenoids are generally involved in protein-protein interactions. We then studied the taxonomic distribution of alpha-solenoids to discuss an evolutionary scenario for the emergence of this type of domain, speculating that alpha-solenoids have emerged in multiple taxa in independent events by convergent evolution. We observe a higher rate of alpha-solenoids in eukaryotic genomes and in some prokaryotic families, such as Cyanobacteria and Planctomycetes, which could be associated to increased cellular complexity. The method is available at http://cbdm.mdc-berlin.de/~ard2/.
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43
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Muench SP, Scheres SHW, Huss M, Phillips C, Vitavska O, Wieczorek H, Trinick J, Harrison MA. Subunit positioning and stator filament stiffness in regulation and power transmission in the V1 motor of the Manduca sexta V-ATPase. J Mol Biol 2013; 426:286-300. [PMID: 24075871 PMCID: PMC3899036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2013.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Revised: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is an ATP-driven proton pump essential to the function of eukaryotic cells. Its cytoplasmic V1 domain is an ATPase, normally coupled to membrane-bound proton pump Vo via a rotary mechanism. How these asymmetric motors are coupled remains poorly understood. Low energy status can trigger release of V1 from the membrane and curtail ATP hydrolysis. To investigate the molecular basis for these processes, we have carried out cryo-electron microscopy three-dimensional reconstruction of deactivated V1 from Manduca sexta. In the resulting model, three peripheral stalks that are parts of the mechanical stator of the V-ATPase are clearly resolved as unsupported filaments in the same conformations as in the holoenzyme. They are likely therefore to have inherent stiffness consistent with a role as flexible rods in buffering elastic power transmission between the domains of the V-ATPase. Inactivated V1 adopted a homogeneous resting state with one open active site adjacent to the stator filament normally linked to the H subunit. Although present at 1:1 stoichiometry with V1, both recombinant subunit C reconstituted with V1 and its endogenous subunit H were poorly resolved in three-dimensional reconstructions, suggesting structural heterogeneity in the region at the base of V1 that could indicate positional variability. If the position of H can vary, existing mechanistic models of deactivation in which it binds to and locks the axle of the V-ATPase rotary motor would need to be re-evaluated. Dissociation of vacuolar H+-ATPase domains deactivates its V1 motor. V1 has one “open” catalytic site linked to the stator filament bound by subunit H. Movement of subunit H to prevent rotary catalysis is possible. Three stator filaments project from deactivated V1, indicating inherent stiffness. This work gives new insight into energetic coupling and control in V-ATPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen P Muench
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Sjors H W Scheres
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Markus Huss
- Abteilung Tierphysiologie, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, Universität Osnabrück, 49069 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Clair Phillips
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Olga Vitavska
- Abteilung Tierphysiologie, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, Universität Osnabrück, 49069 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Helmut Wieczorek
- Abteilung Tierphysiologie, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, Universität Osnabrück, 49069 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - John Trinick
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Michael A Harrison
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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Dölker N, Blanchet CE, Voß B, Haselbach D, Kappel C, Monecke T, Svergun DI, Stark H, Ficner R, Zachariae U, Grubmüller H, Dickmanns A. Structural determinants and mechanism of mammalian CRM1 allostery. Structure 2013; 21:1350-60. [PMID: 23850451 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2013.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/26/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Proteins carrying nuclear export signals cooperatively assemble with the export factor CRM1 and the effector protein RanGTP. In lower eukaryotes, this cooperativity is coupled to CRM1 conformational changes; however, it is unknown if mammalian CRM1 maintains its compact conformation or shows similar structural flexibility. Here, combinations of small-angle X-ray solution scattering and electron microscopy experiments with molecular dynamics simulations reveal pronounced conformational flexibility in mammalian CRM1 and demonstrate that RanGTP binding induces association of its N- and C-terminal regions to form a toroid structure. The CRM1 toroid is stabilized mainly by local interactions between the terminal regions, rather than by global strain. The CRM1 acidic loop is key in transmitting the effect of this RanGTP-induced global conformational change to the NES-binding cleft by shifting its population to the open state, which displays enhanced cargo affinity. Cooperative CRM1 export complex assembly thus constitutes a highly dynamic process, encompassing an intricate interplay of global and local structural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Dölker
- Abteilung für Theoretische und Computergestützte Biophysik, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, Am Faßberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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45
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Dian C, Bernaudat F, Langer K, Oliva MF, Fornerod M, Schoehn G, Müller CW, Petosa C. Structure of a truncation mutant of the nuclear export factor CRM1 provides insights into the auto-inhibitory role of its C-terminal helix. Structure 2013; 21:1338-49. [PMID: 23850454 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2013] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome region maintenance 1/exportin1/Xpo1 (CRM1) associates with the GTPase Ran to mediate the nuclear export of proteins bearing a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES). CRM1 consists of helical hairpin HEAT repeats and a C-terminal helical extension (C-extension) that inhibits the binding of NES-bearing cargos. We report the crystal structure and small-angle X-ray scattering analysis of a human CRM1 mutant with enhanced NES-binding activity due to deletion of the C-extension. We show that loss of the C-extension leads to a repositioning of CRM1's C-terminal repeats and to a more extended overall conformation. Normal mode analysis predicts reduced rigidity for the deletion mutant, consistent with an observed decrease in thermal stability. Point mutations that destabilize the C-extension shift CRM1 to the more extended conformation, reduce thermal stability, and enhance NES-binding activity. These findings suggest that an important mechanism by which the C-extension regulates CRM1's cargo-binding affinity is by modulating the conformation and flexibility of its HEAT repeats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Dian
- Université de Grenoble Alpes, Institut de Biologie Structurale, 38027 Grenoble, France
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46
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Taltynov O, Demeulemeester J, Christ F, De Houwer S, Tsirkone VG, Gerard M, Weeks SD, Strelkov SV, Debyser Z. Interaction of transportin-SR2 with Ras-related nuclear protein (Ran) GTPase. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:25603-25613. [PMID: 23878195 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.484345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and other lentiviruses are capable of infecting non-dividing cells and, therefore, need to be imported into the nucleus before integration into the host cell chromatin. Transportin-SR2 (TRN-SR2, Transportin-3, TNPO3) is a cellular karyopherin implicated in nuclear import of HIV-1. A model in which TRN-SR2 imports the viral preintegration complex into the nucleus is supported by direct interaction between TRN-SR2 and HIV-1 integrase (IN). Residues in the C-terminal domain of HIV-1 IN that mediate binding to TRN-SR2 were recently delineated. As for most nuclear import cargoes, the driving force behind HIV-1 preintegration complex import is likely a gradient of the GDP- and GTP-bound forms of Ran, a small GTPase. In this study we offer biochemical and structural characterization of the interaction between TRN-SR2 and Ran. By size exclusion chromatography we demonstrate stable complex formation of TRN-SR2 and RanGTP in solution. Consistent with the behavior of normal nuclear import cargoes, HIV-1 IN is released from the complex with TRN-SR2 by RanGTP. Although in concentrated solutions TRN-SR2 by itself was predominantly present as a dimer, the TRN-SR2-RanGTP complex was significantly more compact. Further analysis supported a model wherein one monomer of TRN-SR2 is bound to one monomer of RanGTP. Finally, we present a homology model of the TRN-SR2-RanGTP complex that is in excellent agreement with the experimental small angle x-ray scattering data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Taltynov
- From the Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy and
| | | | - Frauke Christ
- From the Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy and
| | | | - Vicky G Tsirkone
- Laboratory for Biocrystallography, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Melanie Gerard
- From the Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy and
| | - Stephen D Weeks
- Laboratory for Biocrystallography, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sergei V Strelkov
- Laboratory for Biocrystallography, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Zeger Debyser
- From the Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy and.
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47
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Settanni G, Serquera D, Marszalek PE, Paci E, Itzhaki LS. Effects of ligand binding on the mechanical properties of ankyrin repeat protein gankyrin. PLoS Comput Biol 2013; 9:e1002864. [PMID: 23341763 PMCID: PMC3547791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 11/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ankyrin repeat proteins are elastic materials that unfold and refold sequentially, repeat by repeat, under force. Herein we use atomistic molecular dynamics to compare the mechanical properties of the 7-ankyrin-repeat oncoprotein Gankyrin in isolation and in complex with its binding partner S6-C. We show that the bound S6-C greatly increases the resistance of Gankyrin to mechanical stress. The effect is specific to those repeats of Gankyrin directly in contact with S6-C, and the mechanical ‘hot spots’ of the interaction map to the same repeats as the thermodynamic hot spots. A consequence of stepwise nature of unfolding and the localized nature of ligand binding is that it impacts on all aspects of the protein's mechanical behavior, including the order of repeat unfolding, the diversity of unfolding pathways accessed, the nature of partially unfolded intermediates, the forces required and the work transferred to the system to unfold the whole protein and its parts. Stepwise unfolding thus provides the means to buffer repeat proteins and their binding partners from mechanical stress in the cell. Our results illustrate how ligand binding can control the mechanical response of proteins. The data also point to a cellular mechano-switching mechanism whereby binding between two partner macromolecules is regulated by mechanical stress. Here we use molecular dynamics simulation to compare the mechanical properties of the 7-ankyrin-repeat oncoprotein Gankyrin in isolation and in complex with binding partner S6-C. Tandem repeat proteins like Gankyrin comprise tandem arrays of small structural motifs that pack linearly to produce elongated architectures. They are elastic, mechanically weak molecules and they unfold and refold repeat by repeat under force. We show that S6-C binding greatly increases the resistance of Gankyrin to mechanical stress. The enhanced mechanical stability is specific to those ankyrin repeats in contact with S6-C, and the localized nature of the effect results in fundamental changes in the way the protein responds to force. Thus, the forced unfolding of isolated Gankryin involves a diverse set of pathways with a preference for a C- to N-terminus unfolding mechanism whereas this diversity is reduced upon complex formation with the central repeats, which are those most tightly bound to the ligand, tending to unfold last. Our study shows how stepwise unfolding can buffer repeat proteins and their binding partners from mechanical stress in the cell. It also points to a mechano-switching mechanism whereby binding between two partner macromolecules is regulated by mechanical stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Settanni
- Physics Department, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- * E-mail: (GS); (EP); (LSI)
| | - David Serquera
- MRC Cancer Cell Unit, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Piotr E. Marszalek
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emanuele Paci
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (GS); (EP); (LSI)
| | - Laura S. Itzhaki
- University of Cambridge Department of Chemistry, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (GS); (EP); (LSI)
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48
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Monecke T, Haselbach D, Voß B, Russek A, Neumann P, Thomson E, Hurt E, Zachariae U, Stark H, Grubmüller H, Dickmanns A, Ficner R. Structural basis for cooperativity of CRM1 export complex formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:960-5. [PMID: 23277578 PMCID: PMC3549083 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1215214110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, the nucleocytoplasmic transport of macromolecules is mainly mediated by soluble nuclear transport receptors of the karyopherin-β superfamily termed importins and exportins. The highly versatile exportin chromosome region maintenance 1 (CRM1) is essential for nuclear depletion of numerous structurally and functionally unrelated protein and ribonucleoprotein cargoes. CRM1 has been shown to adopt a toroidal structure in several functional transport complexes and was thought to maintain this conformation throughout the entire nucleocytoplasmic transport cycle. We solved crystal structures of free CRM1 from the thermophilic eukaryote Chaetomium thermophilum. Surprisingly, unbound CRM1 exhibits an overall extended and pitched superhelical conformation. The two regulatory regions, namely the acidic loop and the C-terminal α-helix, are dramatically repositioned in free CRM1 in comparison with the ternary CRM1-Ran-Snurportin1 export complex. Single-particle EM analysis demonstrates that, in a noncrystalline environment, free CRM1 exists in equilibrium between extended, superhelical and compact, ring-like conformations. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the C-terminal helix plays an important role in regulating the transition from an extended to a compact conformation and reveal how the binding site for nuclear export signals of cargoes is modulated by different CRM1 conformations. Combining these results, we propose a model for the cooperativity of CRM1 export complex assembly involving the long-range allosteric communication between the distant binding sites of GTP-bound Ran and cargo.
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MESH Headings
- Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
- Allosteric Regulation
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Chaetomium/chemistry
- Chaetomium/genetics
- Chaetomium/metabolism
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- Fungal Proteins/chemistry
- Fungal Proteins/genetics
- Fungal Proteins/metabolism
- Fungal Proteins/ultrastructure
- Karyopherins/chemistry
- Karyopherins/genetics
- Karyopherins/metabolism
- Karyopherins/ultrastructure
- Microscopy, Electron
- Models, Biological
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Dynamics Simulation
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Multiprotein Complexes/chemistry
- Multiprotein Complexes/metabolism
- Protein Conformation
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/chemistry
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/ultrastructure
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/ultrastructure
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Static Electricity
- Exportin 1 Protein
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Monecke
- Abteilung für Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - David Haselbach
- Dreidimensionale Kryo-Elektronenmikroskopie, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Béla Voß
- Abteilung für Theoretische und Computergestützte Biophysik, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Russek
- Abteilung für Theoretische und Computergestützte Biophysik, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Piotr Neumann
- Abteilung für Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Emma Thomson
- Biochemie-Zentrum der Universität Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ed Hurt
- Biochemie-Zentrum der Universität Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Zachariae
- Scottish Universities' Physics Alliance, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, United Kingdom; and
| | - Holger Stark
- Dreidimensionale Kryo-Elektronenmikroskopie, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Abteilung für Molekulare Kryo-Elektronenmikroskopie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Helmut Grubmüller
- Abteilung für Theoretische und Computergestützte Biophysik, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Achim Dickmanns
- Abteilung für Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ralf Ficner
- Abteilung für Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
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49
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Lange KI, Heinrichs J, Cheung K, Srayko M. Suppressor mutations identify amino acids in PAA-1/PR65 that facilitate regulatory RSA-1/B″ subunit targeting of PP2A to centrosomes in C. elegans. Biol Open 2012; 2:88-94. [PMID: 23336080 PMCID: PMC3545272 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20122956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation is a key mechanism for the spatial and temporal regulation of many essential developmental processes and is especially prominent during mitosis. The multi-subunit protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) enzyme plays an important, yet poorly characterized role in dephosphorylating proteins during mitosis. PP2As are heterotrimeric complexes comprising a catalytic, structural, and regulatory subunit. Regulatory subunits are mutually exclusive and determine subcellular localization and substrate specificity of PP2A. At least 3 different classes of regulatory subunits exist (termed B, B′, B″) but there is no obvious similarity in primary sequence between these classes. Therefore, it is not known how these diverse regulatory subunits interact with the same holoenzyme to facilitate specific PP2A functions in vivo. The B″ family of regulatory subunits is the least understood because these proteins lack conserved structural domains. RSA-1 (regulator of spindle assembly) is a regulatory B″ subunit required for mitotic spindle assembly in Caenorhabditis elegans. In order to address how B″ subunits interact with the PP2A core enzyme, we focused on a conditional allele, rsa-1(or598ts), and determined that this mutation specifically disrupts the protein interaction between RSA-1 and the PP2A structural subunit, PAA-1. Through genetic screening, we identified a putative interface on the PAA-1 structural subunit that interacts with a defined region of RSA-1/B″. In the context of previously published results, these data propose a mechanism of how different PP2A B-regulatory subunit families can bind the same holoenzyme in a mutually exclusive manner, to perform specific tasks in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen I Lange
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9 , Canada
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Kappel C, Dölker N, Kumar R, Zink M, Zachariae U, Grubmüller H. Universal relaxation governs the nonequilibrium elasticity of biomolecules. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 109:118304. [PMID: 23005687 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.109.118304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Revised: 02/26/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Experimental and computational dynamic force spectroscopy is widely used to determine the mechanical properties of single biomolecules. Whereas so far the focus has mainly been on rupture or unfolding forces, recent force-probe molecular dynamics simulations have revealed a strong loading rate dependence of biomolecular elasticities, which cannot be explained by the established one-dimensional transition-state treatments. We show that this nonequilibrium behavior can be explained by a theory that includes relaxation effects. For three structurally and mechanically quite diverse systems, a single relaxation mode suffices to quantitatively describe their loading-rate-dependent elastic behavior. Atomistic simulations of these systems revealed the microscopic nature of the respective relaxation modes. This result suggests a new type of "elasticity spectroscopy" experiment, which should render nonequilibrium properties of structured macromolecules accessible to single-molecule force spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kappel
- Theoretical & Computational Biophysics, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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