Direct Observation of the Intrinsic Backbone Torsional Mobility of Disordered Proteins

Picosecond Dynamics of a Small Molecule in Its Bound State with an Intrinsically Disordered Protein

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are highly dynamic biomolecules that rapidly interconvert among many structural conformations. These dynamic biomolecules are involved in cancers, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular illnesses, and viral infections. Despite their enormous therapeutic potential, IDPs have generally been considered undruggable because of their lack of classical long-lived binding pockets for small molecules. Currently, only a few instances are known where small molecules have been observed to interact with IDPs, and this situation is further exacerbated by the limited sensitivity of experimental techniques to detect such binding events. Here, using experimental nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy 19F transverse spin-relaxation measurements, we discovered that a small molecule, 5-fluoroindole, interacts with the disordered domains of non-structural protein 5A from hepatitis C virus with a Kd of 260 ± 110 μM. Our analysis also allowed us to determine the rotational correlation times (τc) for the free and bound states of 5-fluoroindole. In the free state, we observed a rotational correlation time of 27.0 ± 1.3 ps, whereas in the bound state, τc only increased to 46 ± 10 ps. Our findings imply that it is possible for small molecules to engage with IDPs in exceptionally dynamic ways, in sharp contrast to the rigid binding modes typically exhibited when small molecules bind to well-defined binding pockets within structured proteins.

Local and Large-Scale Conformational Dynamics in Unfolded Proteins and IDPs. II. Effect of Temperature and Internal Friction

Internal dynamics of proteins are essential for protein folding and function. Dynamics in unfolded proteins are of particular interest since they are the basis for many cellular processes like folding, misfolding, aggregation, and amyloid formation and also determine the properties of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). It is still an open question of what governs motions in unfolded proteins and whether they encounter major energy barriers. Here we use triplet-triplet energy transfer (TTET) in unfolded homopolypeptide chains and IDPs to characterize the barriers for local and long-range loop formation. The results show that the formation of short loops encounters major energy barriers with activation energies (Ea) up to 18 kJ/mol (corrected for effects of temperature on water viscosity) with very little dependence on amino acid sequence. For poly(Gly-Ser) and polySer chains the barrier decreases with increasing loop size and reaches a limiting value of 4.6 ± 0.4 kJ/mol for long and flexible chains. This observation is in accordance with the concept of internal friction encountered by chain motions due to steric effects, which is high for local motions and decreases with increasing loop size. Comparison with the results from the viscosity dependence of loop formation shows a negative correlation between Ea and the sensitivity of the reaction to solvent viscosity (α) in accordance with the Grote-Hynes theory of memory friction. The Arrhenius pre-exponential factor (A) also decreases with increasing loop size, indicating increased entropic costs for loop formation. Long-range loop formation in the investigated sequences derived from IDPs shows increased Ea and A compared with poly(Gly-Ser) and polySer chains. This increase is exclusively due to steric effects that cause additional internal friction, whereas intramolecular hydrogen bonds, dispersion forces, and charge interactions do not affect the activation parameters.

Molecular Origin of Internal Friction in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

Protein folding and dynamics are controlled by an interplay of thermal and viscosity effects. The effect of viscous drag through the solvent molecules is described by the classic Kramers theory in the high friction limit, which considers the dampening of the reactant molecules in the solution and quantifies the dependence of the reaction rate on the frictional drag. In addition to the external energy dissipation originating from the surrounding solvent molecules, there is an additional mode of internal energy dissipative force operative within the polypeptide chain reflecting the internal resistance of the chain to its conformational alterations. This dry, solvent-independent intrinsic frictional drag is termed internal friction. In the case of natively folded proteins, the physical origin of internal friction is primarily attributed to the intrachain interactions or other nonnative interactions in their compact states. However, the molecular origin of internal friction in intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) remains elusive.In this Account, we address this fundamental issue: what are the principal drivers of viscosity-independent (dry) friction in highly solvated, expanded, conformationally flexible, rapidly fluctuating IDPs that do not possess persistent intrachain interactions? IDPs exhibit diffusive conformational dynamics that is predominantly dominated by the segmental motion of the backbone arising due to the dihedral rotations in the Ramachandran Φ-Ψ space. The physical origin of friction in a complex biopolymeric system such as IDPs can be described by classic polymer models, namely, Rouse/Zimm models with internal friction. These one-dimensional models do not invoke torsional fluctuation components. Kuhn's classic description includes the connection between internal friction and microscopic dihedral hopping. Based on our time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy results, we describe that the sequence-dependent, collective, short-range backbone dihedral rotations govern localized internal friction in an archetypal IDP, namely, α-synuclein. The highly sensitive, residue-specific fluorescence depolarization kinetics offers a potent methodology to characterize and quantify the directional decorrelation engendered due to the short-range dihedral relaxation of the polypeptide backbone in the dihedral space. We utilized this characteristic relaxation time scale as our dynamic readout to quantify the site-specific frictional component. Our linear viscosity-dependent model of torsional relaxation time scale furnished a finite nonzero time constant at the zero solvent viscosity representing the solvent-independent internal friction. These results unveil the effect of the degree of dihedral restraining parameter on the internal friction component by showing that a restrained proline residue imparts higher torsional stiffness in the chain segments and, therefore, exhibits higher internal friction. This Account sheds light on the molecular underpinning of the sequence-specific internal friction in IDPs and will be of interest to unmask the role of internal friction in a diverse range of biomolecular processes involving binding-induced folding, allosteric interaction, protein misfolding and aggregation, and biomolecular condensation via phase separation.

Sub-stoichiometric Hsp104 regulates the genesis and persistence of self-replicable amyloid seeds of Sup35 prion domain

Prion-like self-perpetuating conformational conversion of proteins is involved in both transmissible neurodegenerative diseases in mammals and non-Mendelian inheritance in yeast. The transmissibility of amyloid-like aggregates is dependent on the stoichiometry of chaperones such as heat shock proteins (Hsps), including disaggregases. To provide the mechanistic underpinnings of the formation and persistence of prefibrillar amyloid seeds, we investigated the role of substoichiometric Hsp104 on the in vitro amyloid aggregation of the prion domain (NM-domain) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sup35. At low substoichiometric concentrations, we show Hsp104 exhibits a dual role: it considerably accelerates the formation of prefibrillar species by shortening the lag phase but also prolongs their persistence by introducing unusual kinetic halts and delaying their conversion into mature amyloid fibers. Additionally, Hsp104-modulated amyloid species displayed a better seeding capability compared to NM-only amyloids. Using biochemical and biophysical tools coupled with site-specific dynamic readouts, we characterized the distinct structural and dynamical signatures of these amyloids. We reveal that Hsp104-remodeled amyloidogenic species are compositionally diverse in prefibrillar aggregates and are packed in a more ordered fashion compared to NM-only amyloids. Finally, we show these Hsp104-remodeled, conformationally distinct NM aggregates display an enhanced autocatalytic self-templating ability that might be crucial for phenotypic outcomes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that substoichiometric Hsp104 promotes compositional diversity and conformational modulations during amyloid formation, yielding effective prefibrillar seeds that are capable of driving prion-like Sup35 propagation. Our findings underscore the key functional and pathological roles of substoichiometric chaperones in prion-like propagation.

Spatiotemporal modulations in heterotypic condensates of prion and α-synuclein control phase transitions and amyloid conversion

Biomolecular condensation via liquid-liquid phase separation of proteins and nucleic acids is associated with a range of critical cellular functions and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we demonstrate that complex coacervation of the prion protein and α-synuclein within narrow stoichiometry results in the formation of highly dynamic, reversible, thermo-responsive liquid droplets via domain-specific electrostatic interactions between the positively-charged intrinsically disordered N-terminal segment of prion and the acidic C-terminal tail of α-synuclein. The addition of RNA to these coacervates yields multiphasic, vesicle-like, hollow condensates. Picosecond time-resolved measurements revealed the presence of transient electrostatic nanoclusters that are stable on the nanosecond timescale and can undergo breaking-and-making of interactions on slower timescales giving rise to a liquid-like behavior in the mesoscopic regime. The liquid-to-solid transition drives a rapid conversion of complex coacervates into heterotypic amyloids. Our results suggest that synergistic prion-α-synuclein interactions within condensates provide mechanistic underpinnings of their physiological role and overlapping neuropathological features.

The authors show that prion protein and α-synuclein undergo phase separation through domain-specific electrostatic interactions. These complex coacervates possess electrostatic nanoclusters and can convert into multiphasic condensates and amyloids.

Conformational Dynamics of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Regulate Biomolecular Condensate Chemistry

Motions in biomolecules are critical for biochemical reactions. In cells, many biochemical reactions are executed inside of biomolecular condensates formed by ultradynamic intrinsically disordered proteins. A deep understanding of the conformational dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins in biomolecular condensates is therefore of utmost importance but is complicated by diverse obstacles. Here we review emerging data on the motions of intrinsically disordered proteins inside of liquidlike condensates. We discuss how liquid–liquid phase separation modulates internal motions across a wide range of time and length scales. We further highlight the importance of intermolecular interactions that not only drive liquid–liquid phase separation but appear as key determinants for changes in biomolecular motions and the aging of condensates in human diseases. The review provides a framework for future studies to reveal the conformational dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins in the regulation of biomolecular condensate chemistry.

Excitation energy migration to study protein oligomerization and amyloid formation

Excitation energy migration via homo-FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer) is a unique variant of traditional FRET that involves a non-radiative energy transfer between the dipoles of two or more chemical identical fluorophores in close proximity and with an overlap between its excitation and emission spectra. Such energy migrations between chemically identical fluorophores within the Förster distance having their dipoles oriented over a wide angular spread results in the depolarization of fluorescence anisotropy depending on the local density of the fluorophores. Therefore, this methodology can be employed to study protein oligomerization and amyloid fibril formation. The conceptual framework involves extracting structural information by identifying proximal and distal locations in supramolecular assemblies by monitoring the efficiency of homo-FRET between fluorophore-conjugated protein molecules within these supramolecular assemblies. This review highlights two such cases in which excitation energy migration via homo-FRET was used to characterize the formation of membrane-mediated β-sheet rich oligomers of the prion protein as well as to construct a site-specific 2D-proximity correlation map to probe inter-residue proximities within the highly organized amyloid fibrils of α-synuclein. Energy migration studies will find applications in studying a wide range of biomolecular assemblies such as lipid-protein complexes, oligomers, amyloids, and phase-separated condensates.

Fluorescence Depolarization Kinetics Captures Short-Range Backbone Dihedral Rotations and Long-Range Correlated Dynamics of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) do not autonomously fold into well-defined three-dimensional structures and are best described as a heterogeneous ensemble of rapidly interconverting conformers. It is challenging to elucidate their complex dynamic signatures using a single technique. In this study, we employed sensitive fluorescence depolarization kinetics by following picosecond time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy decays to directly capture the essential dynamical features of intrinsically disordered α-synuclein (α-syn) site-specifically labeled with thiol-active fluorophores. By utilizing a long-lifetime (≥10 ns) anisotropic label, we were able to discern three distinct rotational components of α-syn. The subnanosecond component represents the local wobbling-in-cone motion of the fluorophore, whereas the slower (∼1.4 ns) component corresponds to the short-range backbone dynamics governed by collective torsional fluctuations in the Ramachandran Φ-Ψ dihedral space. This backbone dihedral rotational time scale is sensitive to the local chain stiffness and slows down in the presence of an adjacent proline residue. We also observed a small-amplitude (≤10%) slower rotational correlation time (6-10 ns) that represents the long-range correlated dynamics involving a much longer segment of the polypeptide chain. These intrinsic dynamic signatures of IDPs will provide critical mechanistic underpinnings in a mosaic of biophysical phenomena involving internal friction, allosteric interactions, and phase separation.

Conformation-specific perturbation of membrane dynamics by structurally distinct oligomers of Alzheimer's amyloid-β peptide

The accumulation of toxic soluble oligomers of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is a key step in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. There are mainly two conformationally distinct oligomers, namely, prefibrillar and fibrillar oligomers, that are recognized by conformation-specific antibodies, anti-amyloid oligomer antibody (A11) and anti-amyloid fibrillar antibody (OC), respectively. Previous studies have shown that the interaction of Aβ oligomers with the lipid membrane is one of the key mechanisms of toxicity produced by Aβ oligomers. However, the mechanism by which structurally distinct Aβ oligomers interact with the lipid membrane remains elusive. In this work, we dissect the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction of structurally distinct Aβ42 oligomers with the lipid membrane derived from the brain total lipid extract. Using picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, we show that the A11-positive Aβ42 oligomers undergo a membrane-induced conformational change that promotes the deeper immersion of these oligomers into the lipid hydrocarbon region and results in an increase in the membrane micro-viscosity. In sharp contrast, OC-positive Aβ42 oligomers interact with the lipid membrane via electrostatic interactions between the negatively-charged lipid headgroup and positively-charged residues of Aβ42 without perturbing the membrane dynamics. We show that the two structurally distinct Aβ42 oligomers demonstrating different interaction mechanisms with the lipid membrane eventually lead to the formation of typical amyloid fibrils. Our findings provide the mechanistic underpinning of the perturbation of lipid membranes by two conformationally distinct Aβ42 oligomers and can be of prime importance in designing anti-Alzheimer's therapeutic agents targeting Aβ-membrane interactions.

Fluorescence Anisotropy Decays and Microscale-Volume Viscometry Reveal the Compaction of Ribosome-Bound Nascent Proteins

This work introduces a technology that combines fluorescence anisotropy decay with microscale-volume viscometry to investigate the compaction and dynamics of ribosome-bound nascent proteins. Protein folding in the cell, especially when nascent chains emerge from the ribosomal tunnel, is poorly understood. Previous investigations based on fluorescence anisotropy decay determined that a portion of the ribosome-bound nascent protein apomyoglobin (apoMb) forms a compact structure. This work, however, could not assess the size of the compact region. The combination of fluorescence anisotropy with microscale-volume viscometry, presented here, enables identifying the size of compact nascent-chain subdomains using a single fluorophore label. Our results demonstrate that the compact region of nascent apoMb contains 57-83 amino acids and lacks residues corresponding to the two native C-terminal helices. These amino acids are necessary for fully burying the nonpolar residues in the native structure, yet they are not available for folding before ribosome release. Therefore, apoMb requires a significant degree of post-translational folding for the generation of its native structure. In summary, the combination of fluorescence anisotropy decay and microscale-volume viscometry is a powerful approach to determine the size of independently tumbling compact regions of biomolecules. This technology is of general applicability to compact macromolecules linked to larger frameworks.

SARS-CoV-2 NSP1 C-terminal (residues 131-180) is an intrinsically disordered region in isolation

The NSP1- C terminal structure in complex with ribosome using cryo-EM is available now, and the N-terminal region structure in isolation is also deciphered in literature. However, as a reductionist approach, the conformation of NSP1- C terminal region (NSP1-CTR; amino acids 131-180) has not been studied in isolation. We found that NSP1-CTR conformation is disordered in an aqueous solution. Further, we examined the conformational propensity towards alpha-helical structure using trifluoroethanol, we observed induction of helical structure conformation using CD spectroscopy. Additionally, in SDS, NSP1-CTR shows a conformational change from disordered to ordered, possibly gaining alpha-helix in part. But in the presence of neutral lipid DOPC, a slight change in conformation is observed, which implies the possible role of hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction on the conformational changes of NSP1. Fluorescence-based studies have shown a blue shift and fluorescence quenching in the presence of SDS, TFE, and lipid vesicles. In agreement with these results, fluorescence lifetime and fluorescence anisotropy decay suggest a change in conformational dynamics. The zeta potential studies further validated that the conformational dynamics are primarily because of hydrophobic interaction. These experimental studies were complemented through Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, which have shown a good correlation and testifies our experiments. We believe that the intrinsically disordered nature of the NSP1-CTR will have implications for enhanced molecular recognition feature properties of this IDR, which may add disorder to order transition and disorder-based binding promiscuity with its interacting proteins.

The Dynamism of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: Binding-Induced Folding, Amyloid Formation, and Phase Separation

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) or natively unfolded proteins do not undergo autonomous folding into a well-defined 3-D structure and challenge the conventional structure-function paradigm. They are involved in a multitude of critical physiological functions by adopting various structural states via order-to-disorder transitions or by maintaining their disordered characteristics in functional complexes. In recent times, there has been a burgeoning interest in the investigation of intriguing behavior of IDPs using highly multidisciplinary and complementary approaches due to the pivotal role of this unique class of protein chameleons in physiology and disease. Over the past decade or so, our laboratory has been actively investigating the unique physicochemical properties of this class of highly dynamic, flexible, rapidly interconverting proteins. We have utilized a diverse array of existing and emerging tools involving steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, circular dichroism, light scattering, fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy coupled with site-directed mutagenesis and other biochemical and biophysical tools to study a variety of interesting and important aspects of IDPs. In this Feature Article, I describe our work on the conformational characteristics, solvation dynamics, binding-induced folding, amyloid formation, and liquid-liquid phase separation of a number of amyloidogenic IDPs. A series of these studies described here captures the role of conformational plasticity and dynamics in directing binding, folding, assembly, aggregation, and phase transitions implicated in physiology and pathology.

Excitation Energy Migration Unveils Fuzzy Interfaces within the Amyloid Architecture

Amyloid fibrils are highly ordered nanoscopic protein aggregates comprising a cross-β amyloid core and are associated with deadly human diseases. Structural studies have revealed the supramolecular architecture of a variety of disease-associated amyloids. However, the critical role of transient intermolecular interactions between the disordered polypeptide segments of protofilaments in directing the supramolecular structure and nanoscale morphology remains elusive. Here, we present a unique case to demonstrate that interchain excitation energy migration via intermolecular homo-Förster resonance energy transfer can decipher the architecture of amyloid fibrils of human α-synuclein. Site-specific homo-Förster resonance energy transfer efficiencies measured by fluorescence depolarization allowed us to construct a two-dimensional proximity correlation map that defines the supramolecular packing of α-synuclein within the fibrils. These studies captured unique heteroterminal cross talks between the fuzzy interprotofilament interfaces of the parallel-in-register amyloid spines. Our results will find applications in discerning the broader role of protein disorder and fuzziness in steering the distinct polymorphic amyloids that exhibit strain-specific disease phenotypes.

Structure and dynamics at N- and C-terminal regions of intrinsically disordered human c-Myc PEST degron reveal a pH-induced transition

We investigated the structure and Brownian rotational motion of the PEST region (201-268) from human c-Myc oncoprotein, whose overexpression/dysregulation is associated with various types of cancer. The 77-residue PEST fragment revealed a large Stokes radius (~3.1 nm) and CD spectrum highlighting abundance of disordered structure. Changes in structure/dynamics at two specific sites in PEST degron were observed using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy by labeling Cys⁹ near N-terminal with dansyl probe and inserting a Trp⁷⁰ near C-terminal (PEST M1). Trp in PEST M1 at pH 3 was inaccessible to quencher, showed hindered segmental motion and slow global rotation (~30 ns) in contrast to N-terminal where the dansyl probe was free, exposed with fast global rotation (~5 ns). Remarkably, this large monomeric structure at acidic pH was retained irrespective of ionic strength (0.03-0.25 M) and partially so in presence of 6 M Gdn.HCl. With gradual increase in pH, a structural transition (~pH 4.8) into a more exposed and freely rotating Trp was noticeable. Interestingly, the induced structure at C-terminal also influenced the dynamics of dansyl probe near N-terminal, which otherwise remained unstructured at pH > 5. FRET measurements confirmed a 11 Å decrease in distance between dansyl and indole at pH 4 compared to pH 9, coinciding with enhanced ANS binding and increase in strand/helix population in both PEST fragments. The protonation of glutamate/aspartate residues in C-terminal region of PEST is implicated in this disorder-order transition. This may have a bearing on the role of PEST in endocytic trafficking of eukaryotic proteins.

Discerning Dynamic Signatures of Membrane-Bound α-Synuclein Using Site-Specific Fluorescence Depolarization Kinetics

α-Synuclein is an intrinsically disordered protein that adopts an α-helical structure upon binding to the negatively charged lipid membrane. Binding-induced conformational change of α-synuclein plays a crucial role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity. In this work, we utilized the fluorescence depolarization kinetics methodology to gain the site-specific dynamical insights into the membrane-bound α-synuclein. We took advantage of the nonoccurrence of Cys in α-synuclein and created single-Cys variants at different sites for us to be able to label it with a thiol-active fluorophore. Our fluorescence depolarization results reveal the presence of three dynamically distinct types of motions of α-synuclein on POPG (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol)) small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs): (i) the (local) wobbling-in-cone motion of the fluorophore on the subnanosecond timescale, (ii) the backbone segmental mobility on the nanosecond timescale, and (iii) a slow depolarization component with a characteristic long rotational correlation time (∼60 ns) that is independent of the residue position. This characteristic timescale could potentially arise due to global tumbling of the protein-membrane complex, the global reorientation of only the protein within the membrane, and/or the translation diffusion of the protein on the curved membrane surface that could result in fluorescence depolarization due to the angular displacement of the transition dipole. In order to discern the molecular origin of the characteristic long rotational correlation time, we then carried our depolarization experiments varying the curvature of the membrane and varying the binding affinity by changing the lipid headgroup. These experiments revealed that the long rotational correlation time primarily arises due to the translational diffusion of α-synuclein on the curved membrane surface with a diffusion coefficient of ∼8.7 × 10^-10 m²/s. The site-specific fluorescence depolarization methodology will find broad application in quantifying diffusion of a wide range of membrane-associated proteins involved in functions and diseases.

Features of molecular recognition of intrinsically disordered proteins via coupled folding and binding

The sequence-structure-function paradigm of proteins has been revolutionized by the discovery of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) or intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). In contrast to traditional ordered proteins, IDPs/IDRs are unstructured under physiological conditions. The absence of well-defined three-dimensional structures in the free state of IDPs/IDRs is fundamental to their function. Folding upon binding is an important mode of molecular recognition for IDPs/IDRs. While great efforts have been devoted to investigating the complex structures and binding kinetics and affinities, our knowledge on the binding mechanisms of IDPs/IDRs remains very limited. Here, we review recent advances on the binding mechanisms of IDPs/IDRs. The structures and kinetic parameters of IDPs/IDRs can vary greatly, and the binding mechanisms can be highly dependent on the structural properties of IDPs/IDRs. IDPs/IDRs can employ various combinations of conformational selection and induced fit in a binding process, which can be templated by the target and/or encoded by the IDP/IDR. Further studies should provide deeper insights into the molecular recognition of IDPs/IDRs and enable the rational design of IDP/IDR binding mechanisms in the future.

Membrane interactions of intrinsically disordered proteins: The example of alpha-synuclein

Peripheral membrane proteins associate reversibly with biological membranes that, compared to protein binding partners, are structurally labile and devoid of specific binding pockets. Membranes in different subcellular compartments vary primarily in their chemical composition and physical properties, and recognition of these features is therefore critical for allowing such proteins to engage their proper membrane targets. Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are well-suited to accomplish this task using highly specific and low- to moderate-affinity interactions governed by recognition principles that are both similar to and different from those that mediate the membrane interactions of rigid proteins. IDPs have also evolved multiple mechanisms to regulate membrane (and other) interactions and achieve their impressive functional diversity. Moreover, IDP-membrane interactions may have a kinetic advantage in fast processes requiring rapid control of such interactions, such as synaptic transmission or signaling. Herein we review the biophysics, regulation and functional implications of IDP-membrane interactions and include a brief overview of some of the methods that can be used to study such interactions. At each step, we use the example of alpha-synuclein, a protein involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and one of the best characterized membrane-binding IDP, to illustrate some of the principles discussed.

Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Is Driven by Large-Scale Conformational Unwinding and Fluctuations of Intrinsically Disordered Protein Molecules

Liquid-liquid phase separation occurs via a multitude of transient, noncovalent, and intermolecular interactions resulting in phase transition of intrinsically disordered proteins/regions (IDPs/IDRs) and other biopolymers into mesoscopic, dynamic, nonstoichiometric, and supramolecular condensates. Here we present a unique case to demonstrate that unusual conformational expansion events coupled with solvation and fluctuations drive phase separation of tau, an IDP associated with Alzheimer's disease. Using intramolecular excimer emission as a powerful proximity readout, we show the unraveling of polypeptide chains within the protein-rich interior environment that can promote critical interchain contacts. Using highly sensitive picosecond time-resolved fluorescence depolarization measurements, we directly capture rapid large-amplitude torsional fluctuations in the extended chains that can control the relay of making-and-breaking of noncovalent intermolecular contacts maintaining the internal fluidity. The interplay of these key molecular parameters can be of prime importance in modulating the mesoscale material property of liquid-like condensates and their maturation into pathological gel-like and solid-like aggregates.

Femtosecond Hydration Map of Intrinsically Disordered α-Synuclein

Protein hydration water plays a fundamentally important role in protein folding, binding, assembly, and function. Little is known about the hydration water in intrinsically disordered proteins that challenge the conventional sequence-structure-function paradigm. Here, by combining experiments and simulations, we show the existence of dynamical heterogeneity of hydration water in an intrinsically disordered presynaptic protein, namely α-synuclein, implicated in Parkinson's disease. We took advantage of nonoccurrence of cysteine in the sequence and incorporated a number of cysteine residues at the N-terminal segment, the central amyloidogenic nonamyloid-β component (NAC) domain, and the C-terminal end of α-synuclein. We then labeled these cysteine variants using environment-sensitive thiol-active fluorophore and monitored the solvation dynamics using femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence. The site-specific femtosecond time-resolved experiments allowed us to construct the hydration map of α-synuclein. Our results show the presence of three dynamically distinct types of water: bulk, hydration, and confined water. The amyloidogenic NAC domain contains dynamically restrained water molecules that are strikingly different from the water molecules present in the other two domains. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations revealed longer residence times for water molecules near the NAC domain and supported our experimental observations. Additionally, our simulations allowed us to decipher the molecular origin of the dynamical heterogeneity of water in α-synuclein. These simulations captured the quasi-bound water molecules within the NAC domain originating from a complex interplay between the local chain compaction and the sequence composition. Our findings from this synergistic experimental simulation approach suggest longer trapping of interfacial water molecules near the amyloidogenic hotspot that triggers the pathological conversion into amyloids via chain sequestration, chain desolvation, and entropic liberation of ordered water molecules.

Studying backbone torsional dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins using fluorescence depolarization kinetics

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) do not autonomously adopt a stable unique 3D structure and exist as an ensemble of rapidly interconverting structures. They are characterized by significant conformational plasticity and are associated with several biological functions and dysfunctions. The rapid conformational fluctuation is governed by the backbone segmental dynamics arising due to the dihedral angle fluctuation on the Ramachandran φ- ψ conformational space. We discovered that the intrinsic backbone torsional mobility can be monitored by a sensitive fluorescence readout, namely fluorescence depolarization kinetics, of tryptophan in an archetypal IDP such as α-synuclein. This methodology allows us to map the site-specific torsional mobility in the dihedral space within picosecond-nanosecond time range at a low protein concentration under the native condition. The characteristic timescale of ~1.4 ns, independent of residue position, represents collective torsional dynamics of dihedral angles (φ and ψ) of several residues from tryptophan and is independent of overall global tumbling of the protein. We believe that fluorescence depolarization kinetics methodology will find broad application to study both short-range and long-range correlated motions, internal friction, binding-induced folding, disorder-to-order transition, misfolding and aggregation of IDPs.

Synergistic Amyloid Switch Triggered by Early Heterotypic Oligomerization of Intrinsically Disordered α-Synuclein and Tau

Amyloidogenic intrinsically disordered proteins, α-synuclein and tau are linked to Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, respectively. A body of evidence suggests that α-synuclein and tau, both present in the presynaptic nerve terminals, co-aggregate in many neurological ailments. The molecular mechanism of α-synuclein-tau hetero-assembly is poorly understood. Here we show that amyloid formation is synergistically facilitated by heterotypic association mediated by binding-induced misfolding of both α-synuclein and tau K18. We demonstrate that the intermolecular association is largely driven by the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged C-terminal segment of α-synuclein and the positively charged tau K18 fragment. This heterotypic association results in rapid formation of oligomers that readily mature into hetero-fibrils with a much shorter lag phase compared to the individual proteins. These findings suggested that the critical intermolecular interaction between α-synuclein and tau can promote facile amyloid formation that can potentially lead to efficient sequestration of otherwise long-lived lethal oligomeric intermediates into innocuous fibrils. We next show that a well-known familial Parkinson's disease mutant (A30P) that is known to aggregate slowly via accumulation of highly toxic oligomeric species during the long lag phase converts into amyloid fibrils significantly faster in the presence of tau K18. The early intermolecular interaction profoundly accelerates the fibrillation rate of A30P α-synuclein and impels the disease mutant to behave similar to wild-type α-synuclein in the presence of tau. Our findings suggest a mechanistic underpinning of bypassing toxicity and suggest a general strategy by which detrimental amyloidogenic precursors are efficiently sequestered into more benign amyloid fibrils.