1
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Verma AR, Ray KK, Bodick M, Kinz-Thompson CD, Gonzalez RL. Increasing the accuracy of single-molecule data analysis using tMAVEN. Biophys J 2024; 123:2765-2780. [PMID: 38268189 PMCID: PMC11393709 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.01.022] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Time-dependent single-molecule experiments contain rich kinetic information about the functional dynamics of biomolecules. A key step in extracting this information is the application of kinetic models, such as hidden Markov models (HMMs), which characterize the molecular mechanism governing the experimental system. Unfortunately, researchers rarely know the physicochemical details of this molecular mechanism a priori, which raises questions about how to select the most appropriate kinetic model for a given single-molecule data set and what consequences arise if the wrong model is chosen. To address these questions, we have developed and used time-series modeling, analysis, and visualization environment (tMAVEN), a comprehensive, open-source, and extensible software platform. tMAVEN can perform each step of the single-molecule analysis pipeline, from preprocessing to kinetic modeling to plotting, and has been designed to enable the analysis of a single-molecule data set with multiple types of kinetic models. Using tMAVEN, we have systematically investigated mismatches between kinetic models and molecular mechanisms by analyzing simulated examples of prototypical single-molecule data sets exhibiting common experimental complications, such as molecular heterogeneity, with a series of different types of HMMs. Our results show that no single kinetic modeling strategy is mathematically appropriate for all experimental contexts. Indeed, HMMs only correctly capture the underlying molecular mechanism in the simplest of cases. As such, researchers must modify HMMs using physicochemical principles to avoid the risk of missing the significant biological and biophysical insights into molecular heterogeneity that their experiments provide. By enabling the facile, side-by-side application of multiple types of kinetic models to individual single-molecule data sets, tMAVEN allows researchers to carefully tailor their modeling approach to match the complexity of the underlying biomolecular dynamics and increase the accuracy of their single-molecule data analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali R Verma
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Korak Kumar Ray
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Maya Bodick
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | | | - Ruben L Gonzalez
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York.
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2
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Modak A, Kilic Z, Chattrakun K, Terry DS, Kalathur RC, Blanchard SC. Single-Molecule Imaging of Integral Membrane Protein Dynamics and Function. Annu Rev Biophys 2024; 53:427-453. [PMID: 39013028 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-070323-024308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) play central roles in cellular physiology and represent the majority of known drug targets. Single-molecule fluorescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) methods have recently emerged as valuable tools for investigating structure-function relationships in IMPs. This review focuses on the practical foundations required for examining polytopic IMP function using single-molecule FRET (smFRET) and provides an overview of the technical and conceptual frameworks emerging from this area of investigation. In this context, we highlight the utility of smFRET methods to reveal transient conformational states critical to IMP function and the use of smFRET data to guide structural and drug mechanism-of-action investigations. We also identify frontiers where progress is likely to be paramount to advancing the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Modak
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Zeliha Kilic
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Kanokporn Chattrakun
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Daniel S Terry
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Ravi C Kalathur
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Scott C Blanchard
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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3
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Tapia-Rojo R, Mora M, Garcia-Manyes S. Single-molecule magnetic tweezers to probe the equilibrium dynamics of individual proteins at physiologically relevant forces and timescales. Nat Protoc 2024; 19:1779-1806. [PMID: 38467905 PMCID: PMC7616092 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-00965-5] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The reversible unfolding and refolding of proteins is a regulatory mechanism of tissue elasticity and signalling used by cells to sense and adapt to extracellular and intracellular mechanical forces. However, most of these proteins exhibit low mechanical stability, posing technical challenges to the characterization of their conformational dynamics under force. Here, we detail step-by-step instructions for conducting single-protein nanomechanical experiments using ultra-stable magnetic tweezers, which enable the measurement of the equilibrium conformational dynamics of single proteins under physiologically relevant low forces applied over biologically relevant timescales. We report the basic principles determining the functioning of the magnetic tweezer instrument, review the protein design strategy and the fluid chamber preparation and detail the procedure to acquire and analyze the unfolding and refolding trajectories of individual proteins under force. This technique adds to the toolbox of single-molecule nanomechanical techniques and will be of particular interest to those interested in proteins involved in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. The procedure takes 4 d to complete, plus an additional 6 d for protein cloning and production, requiring basic expertise in molecular biology, surface chemistry and data analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Tapia-Rojo
- Single Molecule Mechanobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
- Department of Physics, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Centre for the Physical Science of Life and London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Marc Mora
- Single Molecule Mechanobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
- Department of Physics, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Centre for the Physical Science of Life and London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Sergi Garcia-Manyes
- Single Molecule Mechanobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
- Department of Physics, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Centre for the Physical Science of Life and London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, UK.
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4
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Meijer M, Öttl M, Yang J, Subkhangulova A, Kumar A, Feng Z, van Voorst TW, Groffen AJ, van Weering JRT, Zhang Y, Verhage M. Tomosyns attenuate SNARE assembly and synaptic depression by binding to VAMP2-containing template complexes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2652. [PMID: 38531902 PMCID: PMC10965968 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46828-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tomosyns are widely thought to attenuate membrane fusion by competing with synaptobrevin-2/VAMP2 for SNARE-complex assembly. Here, we present evidence against this scenario. In a novel mouse model, tomosyn-1/2 deficiency lowered the fusion barrier and enhanced the probability that synaptic vesicles fuse, resulting in stronger synapses with faster depression and slower recovery. While wild-type tomosyn-1m rescued these phenotypes, substitution of its SNARE motif with that of synaptobrevin-2/VAMP2 did not. Single-molecule force measurements indeed revealed that tomosyn's SNARE motif cannot substitute synaptobrevin-2/VAMP2 to form template complexes with Munc18-1 and syntaxin-1, an essential intermediate for SNARE assembly. Instead, tomosyns extensively bind synaptobrevin-2/VAMP2-containing template complexes and prevent SNAP-25 association. Structure-function analyses indicate that the C-terminal polybasic region contributes to tomosyn's inhibitory function. These results reveal that tomosyns regulate synaptic transmission by cooperating with synaptobrevin-2/VAMP2 to prevent SNAP-25 binding during SNARE assembly, thereby limiting initial synaptic strength and equalizing it during repetitive stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Meijer
- Department of Human Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Miriam Öttl
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | - Aygul Subkhangulova
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Avinash Kumar
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Zicheng Feng
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Torben W van Voorst
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander J Groffen
- Department of Human Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan R T van Weering
- Department of Human Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | - Matthijs Verhage
- Department of Human Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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5
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Verma AR, Ray KK, Bodick M, Kinz-Thompson CD, Gonzalez RL. Increasing the accuracy of single-molecule data analysis using tMAVEN. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.15.553409. [PMID: 37645812 PMCID: PMC10462008 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.15.553409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Time-dependent single-molecule experiments contain rich kinetic information about the functional dynamics of biomolecules. A key step in extracting this information is the application of kinetic models, such as hidden Markov models (HMMs), which characterize the molecular mechanism governing the experimental system. Unfortunately, researchers rarely know the physico-chemical details of this molecular mechanism a priori, which raises questions about how to select the most appropriate kinetic model for a given single-molecule dataset and what consequences arise if the wrong model is chosen. To address these questions, we have developed and used time-series Modeling, Analysis, and Visualization ENvironment (tMAVEN), a comprehensive, open-source, and extensible software platform. tMAVEN can perform each step of the single-molecule analysis pipeline, from pre-processing to kinetic modeling to plotting, and has been designed to enable the analysis of a single-molecule dataset with multiple types of kinetic models. Using tMAVEN, we have systematically investigated mismatches between kinetic models and molecular mechanisms by analyzing simulated examples of prototypical single-molecule datasets exhibiting common experimental complications, such as molecular heterogeneity, with a series of different types of HMMs. Our results show that no single kinetic modeling strategy is mathematically appropriate for all experimental contexts. Indeed, HMMs only correctly capture the underlying molecular mechanism in the simplest of cases. As such, researchers must modify HMMs using physico-chemical principles to avoid the risk of missing the significant biological and biophysical insights into molecular heterogeneity that their experiments provide. By enabling the facile, side-by-side application of multiple types of kinetic models to individual single-molecule datasets, tMAVEN allows researchers to carefully tailor their modeling approach to match the complexity of the underlying biomolecular dynamics and increase the accuracy of their single-molecule data analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali R. Verma
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 USA
| | - Korak Kumar Ray
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 USA
| | - Maya Bodick
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 USA
| | | | - Ruben L. Gonzalez
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 USA
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6
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Kim S, Min D. Robust magnetic tweezers for membrane protein folding studies. Methods Enzymol 2024; 694:285-301. [PMID: 38492955 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Single-molecule magnetic tweezers have recently been adapted for monitoring the interactions between transmembrane helices of membrane proteins within lipid bilayers. In this chapter, we describe the procedures of conducting studies on membrane protein folding using a robust magnetic tweezer method. This tweezer method is capable of observing thousands of (un)folding transitions over extended periods of several to tens of hours. Using this approach, we can dissect the folding pathways of membrane proteins, determine their folding time scales, and map the folding energy landscapes, with a higher statistical reliability. Our robust magnetic tweezers also allow for estimating the folding speed limit of helical membrane proteins, which serves as a link between the kinetics and barrier energies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoyoon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Duyoung Min
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea; Center for Wave Energy Materials, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Wijesinghe WCB, Min D. Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy of Membrane Protein Folding. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167975. [PMID: 37330286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.167975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule force spectroscopy is a unique method that can probe the structural changes of single proteins at a high spatiotemporal resolution while mechanically manipulating them over a wide force range. Here, we review the current understanding of membrane protein folding learned by using the force spectroscopy approach. Membrane protein folding in lipid bilayers is one of the most complex biological processes in which diverse lipid molecules and chaperone proteins are intricately involved. The approach of single protein forced unfolding in lipid bilayers has produced important findings and insights into membrane protein folding. This review provides an overview of the forced unfolding approach, including recent achievements and technical advances. Progress in the methods can reveal more interesting cases of membrane protein folding and clarify general mechanisms and principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Bhashini Wijesinghe
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Duyoung Min
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea; Center for Wave Energy Materials, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Bryan JS, Pressé S. Learning continuous potentials from smFRET. Biophys J 2023; 122:433-441. [PMID: 36463404 PMCID: PMC9892619 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.11.2947] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Potential energy landscapes are useful models in describing events such as protein folding and binding. While single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) experiments encode information on continuous potentials for the system probed, including rarely visited barriers between putative potential minima, this information is rarely decoded from the data. This is because existing analysis methods often model smFRET output assuming, from the onset, that the system probed evolves in a discretized state space to be analyzed within a hidden Markov model (HMM) paradigm. By contrast, here, we infer continuous potentials from smFRET data without discretely approximating the state space. We do so by operating within a Bayesian nonparametric paradigm by placing priors on the family of all possible potential curves. As our inference accounts for a number of required experimental features raising computational cost (such as incorporating discrete photon shot noise), the framework leverages a structured-kernel-interpolation Gaussian process prior to help curtail computational cost. We show that our structured-kernel-interpolation priors for potential energy reconstruction from smFRET analysis accurately infers the potential energy landscape from a smFRET binding experiment. We then illustrate advantages of structured-kernel-interpolation priors for potential energy reconstruction from smFRET over standard HMM approaches by providing information, such as barrier heights and friction coefficients, that is otherwise inaccessible to HMMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Shepard Bryan
- Center for Biological Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona; Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - Steve Pressé
- Center for Biological Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona; Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.
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9
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Yang J, Jin H, Liu Y, Guo Y, Zhang Y. A dynamic template complex mediates Munc18-chaperoned SNARE assembly. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2215124119. [PMID: 36454760 PMCID: PMC9894263 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215124119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Munc18 chaperones assembly of three membrane-anchored soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) into a four-helix bundle to mediate membrane fusion between vesicles and plasma membranes, leading to neurotransmitter or insulin release, glucose transporter (GLUT4) translocation, or other exocytotic processes. Yet, the molecular mechanism underlying chaperoned SNARE assembly is not well understood. Recent evidence suggests that Munc18-1 and Munc18-3 simultaneously bind their cognate SNAREs to form ternary template complexes - Munc18-1:Syntaxin-1:VAMP2 for synaptic vesicle fusion and Munc18-3:Syntaxin-4:VAMP2 for GLUT4 translocation and insulin release, which facilitate the binding of SNAP-25 or SNAP-23 to conclude SNARE assembly. Here, we further investigate the structure, dynamics, and function of the template complexes using optical tweezers. Our results suggest that the synaptic template complex transitions to an activated state with a rate of 0.054 s-1 for efficient SNAP-25 binding. The transition depends upon the linker region of syntaxin-1 upstream of its helical bundle-forming SNARE motif. In addition, the template complex is stabilized by a poorly characterized disordered loop region in Munc18-1. While the synaptic template complex efficiently binds both SNAP-25 and SNAP-23, the GLUT4 template complex strongly favors SNAP-23 over SNAP-25, despite the similar stabilities of their assembled SNARE bundles. Together, our data demonstrate that a highly dynamic template complex mediates efficient and specific SNARE assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06511
| | - Huaizhou Jin
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06511
| | - Yihao Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06511
| | - Yaya Guo
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06511
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06511
- Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, New Haven, CT06511
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT06511
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10
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Zhang Y, Ge J, Bian X, Kumar A. Quantitative Models of Lipid Transfer and Membrane Contact Formation. CONTACT (THOUSAND OAKS (VENTURA COUNTY, CALIF.)) 2022; 5:1-21. [PMID: 36120532 DOI: 10.1177/25152564221096024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) transfer lipids between different organelles, and thus play key roles in lipid homeostasis and organelle dynamics. The lipid transfer often occurs at the membrane contact sites (MCS) where two membranes are held within 10-30 nm. While most LTPs act as a shuttle to transfer lipids, recent experiments reveal a new category of eukaryotic LTPs that may serve as a bridge to transport lipids in bulk at MCSs. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid transfer and MCS formation are not well understood. Here, we first review two recent studies of extended synaptotagmin (E-Syt)-mediated membrane binding and lipid transfer using novel approaches. Then we describe mathematical models to quantify the kinetics of lipid transfer by shuttle LTPs based on a lipid exchange mechanism. We find that simple lipid mixing among membranes of similar composition and/or lipid partitioning among membranes of distinct composition can explain lipid transfer against a concentration gradient widely observed for LTPs. We predict that selective transport of lipids, but not membrane proteins, by bridge LTPs leads to osmotic membrane tension by analogy to the osmotic pressure across a semipermeable membrane. A gradient of such tension and the conventional membrane tension may drive bulk lipid flow through bridge LTPs at a speed consistent with the fast membrane expansion observed in vivo. Finally, we discuss the implications of membrane tension and lipid transfer in organelle biogenesis. Overall, the quantitative models may help clarify the mechanisms of LTP-mediated MCS formation and lipid transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jinghua Ge
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xin Bian
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Present address: State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Avinash Kumar
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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11
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Zhang Y, Ma L, Bao H. Energetics, kinetics, and pathways of SNARE assembly in membrane fusion. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 57:443-460. [PMID: 36151854 PMCID: PMC9588726 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2022.2121804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Fusion of transmitter-containing vesicles with plasma membranes at the synaptic and neuromuscular junctions mediates neurotransmission and muscle contractions, respectively, thereby underlying all thoughts and actions. The fusion process is driven by the coupled folding and assembly of three synaptic SNARE proteins--syntaxin-1 and SNAP-25 on the target plasma membrane (t-SNAREs) and VAMP2 on the vesicular membrane (v-SNARE) into a four-helix bundle. Their assembly is chaperoned by Munc18-1 and many other proteins to achieve the speed and accuracy required for neurotransmission. However, the physiological pathway of SNARE assembly and its coupling to membrane fusion remains unclear. Here, we review recent progress in understanding SNARE assembly and membrane fusion, with a focus on results obtained by single-molecule manipulation approaches and electric recordings of single fusion pores. We describe two pathways of synaptic SNARE assembly, their associated intermediates, energetics, and kinetics. Assembly of the three SNAREs in vitro begins with the formation of a t-SNARE binary complex, on which VAMP2 folds in a stepwise zipper-like fashion. Munc18-1 significantly alters the SNARE assembly pathway: syntaxin-1 and VAMP2 first bind on the surface of Munc18-1 to form a template complex, with which SNAP-25 associates to conclude SNARE assembly and displace Munc18-1. During membrane fusion, multiple trans-SNARE complexes cooperate to open a dynamic fusion pore in a manner dependent upon their copy number and zippering states. Together, these results demonstrate that stepwise and cooperative SNARE assembly drive stagewise membrane fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA;,Conatct: and
| | - Lu Ma
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;,Present address: Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Huan Bao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida, 33458,Conatct: and
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12
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Wu Z, Ma L, Courtney NA, Zhu J, Landajuela A, Zhang Y, Chapman ER, Karatekin E. Polybasic Patches in Both C2 Domains of Synaptotagmin-1 Are Required for Evoked Neurotransmitter Release. J Neurosci 2022; 42:5816-5829. [PMID: 35701163 PMCID: PMC9337609 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1385-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) is a vesicular calcium sensor required for synchronous neurotransmitter release, composed of a single-pass transmembrane domain linked to two C2 domains (C2A and C2B) that bind calcium, acidic lipids, and SNARE proteins that drive fusion of the synaptic vesicle with the plasma membrane. Despite its essential role, how Syt1 couples calcium entry to synchronous release is poorly understood. Calcium binding to C2B is critical for synchronous release, and C2B additionally binds the SNARE complex. The C2A domain is also required for Syt1 function, but it is not clear why. Here, we asked what critical feature of C2A may be responsible for its functional role and compared this to the analogous feature in C2B. We focused on highly conserved poly-lysine patches located on the sides of C2A (K189-192) and C2B (K324-327). We tested effects of charge-neutralization mutations in either region (Syt1K189-192A and Syt1K326-327A) side by side to determine their relative contributions to Syt1 function in cultured cortical neurons from mice of either sex and in single-molecule experiments. Combining electrophysiological recordings and optical tweezers measurements to probe dynamic single C2 domain-membrane interactions, we show that both C2A and C2B polybasic patches contribute to membrane binding, and both are required for evoked release. The size of the readily releasable vesicle pool and the rate of spontaneous release were unaffected, so both patches are likely required specifically for synchronization of release. We suggest these patches contribute to cooperative membrane binding, increasing the overall affinity of Syt1 for negatively charged membranes and facilitating evoked release.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Synaptotagmin-1 is a vesicular calcium sensor required for synchronous neurotransmitter release. Its tandem cytosolic C2 domains (C2A and C2B) bind calcium, acidic lipids, and SNARE proteins that drive fusion of the synaptic vesicle with the plasma membrane. How calcium binding to Synaptotagmin-1 leads to release and the relative contributions of the C2 domains are unclear. Combining electrophysiological recordings from cultured neurons and optical tweezers measurements of single C2 domain-membrane interactions, we show that conserved polybasic regions in both domains contribute to membrane binding cooperatively, and both are required for evoked release, likely by increasing the overall affinity of Synaptotagmin-1 for acidic membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyong Wu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
- Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Lu Ma
- Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Nicholas A Courtney
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
- Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Ane Landajuela
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
- Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Edwin R Chapman
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705
| | - Erdem Karatekin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
- Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
- Saints-Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences, Université de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 8003, 75270 Paris, France
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13
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Dahal N, Sharma S, Phan B, Eis A, Popa I. Mechanical regulation of talin through binding and history-dependent unfolding. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl7719. [PMID: 35857491 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl7719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Talin is a force-sensing multidomain protein and a major player in cellular mechanotransduction. Here, we use single-molecule magnetic tweezers to investigate the mechanical response of the R8 rod domain of talin. We find that under various force cycles, the R8 domain of talin can display a memory-dependent behavior: At the same low force (<10 pN), the same protein molecule shows vastly different unfolding kinetics. This history-dependent behavior indicates the evolution of a unique force-induced native state. We measure through mechanical unfolding that talin R8 domain binds one of its ligands, DLC1, with much higher affinity than previously reported. This strong interaction can explain the antitumor response of DLC1 by regulating inside-out activation of integrins. Together, our results paint a complex picture for the mechanical unfolding of talin in the physiological range and a new mechanism of function of DLC1 to regulate inside-out activation of integrins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Dahal
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Sabita Sharma
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Binh Phan
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Annie Eis
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Ionel Popa
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
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14
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Choi HK, Kang H, Lee C, Kim HG, Phillips BP, Park S, Tumescheit C, Kim SA, Lee H, Roh SH, Hong H, Steinegger M, Im W, Miller EA, Choi HJ, Yoon TY. Evolutionary balance between foldability and functionality of a glucose transporter. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:713-723. [PMID: 35484435 PMCID: PMC7612945 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01002-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in resolving the structures of multi-pass membrane proteins, little is known about the native folding pathways of these complex structures. Using single-molecule magnetic tweezers, we here report a folding pathway of purified human glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) reconstituted within synthetic lipid bilayers. The N-terminal major facilitator superfamily (MFS) fold strictly forms first, serving as a structural template for its C-terminal counterpart. We found polar residues comprising the conduit for glucose molecules present major folding challenges. The endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein complex facilitates insertion of these hydrophilic transmembrane helices, thrusting GLUT3's microstate sampling toward folded structures. Final assembly between the N- and C-terminal MFS folds depends on specific lipids that ease desolvation of the lipid shells surrounding the domain interfaces. Sequence analysis suggests that this asymmetric folding propensity across the N- and C-terminal MFS folds prevails for metazoan sugar porters, revealing evolutionary conflicts between foldability and functionality faced by many multi-pass membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Kyu Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hyunook Kang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Chanwoo Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hyun Gyu Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Ben P. Phillips
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Soohyung Park
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - Charlotte Tumescheit
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Sang Ah Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hansol Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Soung-Hun Roh
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Heedeok Hong
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Martin Steinegger
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Wonpil Im
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Miller
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK,Correspondence should be addressed to (E.A.M.), (H-J.C.) or (T-Y.Y.)
| | - Hee-Jung Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea,Correspondence should be addressed to (E.A.M.), (H-J.C.) or (T-Y.Y.)
| | - Tae-Young Yoon
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea,Correspondence should be addressed to (E.A.M.), (H-J.C.) or (T-Y.Y.)
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15
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Ma L, Ge J, Bian X, Zhang Y. Single-Molecule Optical Tweezers Study of Protein-Membrane Interactions. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2473:367-383. [PMID: 35819776 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2209-4_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Numerous proteins directly or indirectly bind membranes to exert their roles in a wide variety of biological processes. Such membrane binding often occurs in the presence of an external mechanical force. It remains challenging to quantify these interactions using traditional experimental approaches based on a large number of molecules, due to ensemble averaging or the lack of mechanical force. Here we described a new single-molecule approach based on high-resolution optical tweezers to characterize protein-membrane interactions. A single membrane binding protein is attached to the lipid bilayer coated on a silica bead via a flexible polypeptide linker, tethered to another bead via a long DNA handle, and pulled away from the bilayer using optical tweezers. Dynamic protein binding and unbinding is detected by the corresponding changes in the extension of the protein-DNA tether with high spatiotemporal resolution, which reveals the membrane binding affinity, kinetics, and intermediates. We demonstrated the method using C2 domains of extended synaptotagmin 2 (E-Syt2) with a detailed protocol. The method can be widely applied to investigate complex protein-membrane interactions under well-controlled experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Ma
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghua Ge
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xin Bian
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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16
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Jin H, Ge J, Yang J, Zhang Y. Single-Molecule Manipulation Study of Chaperoned SNARE Folding and Assembly with Optical Tweezers. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2478:461-481. [PMID: 36063331 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2229-2_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular membrane fusion is primarily driven by coupled folding and assembly of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs). SNARE assembly is intrinsically inefficient and must be chaperoned by a family of evolutionarily and structurally conserved Sec1/Munc-18 (SM) proteins. The physiological pathway of the chaperoned SNARE assembly has not been well understood, partly due to the difficulty in dissecting the many intermediates and pathways of SNARE assembly and measure their associated energetics and kinetics. Optical tweezers have proven to be a powerful tool to characterize the intermediates involved in the chaperoned SNARE assembly. Here, we demonstrate the application of optical tweezers combined with a homemade microfluidic system into studies of synaptic SNARE assembly chaperoned by their cognate SM protein Munc18-1. Three synaptic SNAREs and Munc18-1 constitute the core machinery for synaptic vesicle fusion involved in neurotransmitter release. Many other proteins further regulate the core machinery to enable fusion at the right time and location. The methods described here can be applied to other proteins that regulate SNARE assembly to control membrane fusion involved in numerous biological and physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaizhou Jin
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jinghua Ge
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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17
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Single-molecule manipulation of macromolecules on GUV or SUV membranes using optical tweezers. Biophys J 2021; 120:5454-5465. [PMID: 34813728 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.11.2884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their wide applications in soluble macromolecules, optical tweezers have rarely been used to characterize the dynamics of membrane proteins, mainly due to the lack of model membranes compatible with optical trapping. Here, we examined optical trapping and mechanical properties of two potential model membranes, giant and small unilamellar vesicles (GUVs and SUVs, respectively) for studies of membrane protein dynamics. We found that optical tweezers can stably trap GUVs containing iodixanol with controlled membrane tension. The trapped GUVs with high membrane tension can serve as a force sensor to accurately detect reversible folding of a DNA hairpin or membrane binding of synaptotagmin-1 C2AB domain attached to the GUV. We also observed that SUVs are rigid enough to resist large pulling forces and are suitable for detecting protein conformational changes induced by force. Our methodologies may facilitate single-molecule manipulation studies of membrane proteins using optical tweezers.
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18
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Ge J, Bian X, Ma L, Cai Y, Li Y, Yang J, Karatekin E, De Camilli P, Zhang Y. Stepwise membrane binding of extended synaptotagmins revealed by optical tweezers. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 18:313-320. [PMID: 34916620 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00914-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Extended synaptotagmins (E-Syts) mediate lipid exchange between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the plasma membrane (PM). Anchored on the ER, E-Syts bind the PM via an array of C2 domains in a Ca2+- and lipid-dependent manner, drawing the two membranes close to facilitate lipid exchange. How these C2 domains bind the PM and regulate the ER-PM distance is not well understood. Here, we applied optical tweezers to dissect PM binding by E-Syt1 and E-Syt2. We detected Ca2+- and lipid-dependent membrane-binding kinetics of both E-Syts and determined the binding energies and rates of individual C2 domains or pairs. We incorporated these parameters in a theoretical model to recapitulate salient features of E-Syt-mediated membrane contacts observed in vivo, including their equilibrium distances and probabilities. Our methods can be applied to study other proteins containing multiple membrane-binding domains linked by disordered polypeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghua Ge
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xin Bian
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lu Ma
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.,Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiying Cai
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yanghui Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,College of Optical and Electronic Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Erdem Karatekin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Université de Paris, Saints-Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences (SPPIN), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France
| | - Pietro De Camilli
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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19
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Kilic Z, Sgouralis I, Pressé S. Generalizing HMMs to Continuous Time for Fast Kinetics: Hidden Markov Jump Processes. Biophys J 2021; 120:409-423. [PMID: 33421415 PMCID: PMC7896036 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hidden Markov model (HMM) is a framework for time series analysis widely applied to single-molecule experiments. Although initially developed for applications outside the natural sciences, the HMM has traditionally been used to interpret signals generated by physical systems, such as single molecules, evolving in a discrete state space observed at discrete time levels dictated by the data acquisition rate. Within the HMM framework, transitions between states are modeled as occurring at the end of each data acquisition period and are described using transition probabilities. Yet, whereas measurements are often performed at discrete time levels in the natural sciences, physical systems evolve in continuous time according to transition rates. It then follows that the modeling assumptions underlying the HMM are justified if the transition rates of a physical process from state to state are small as compared to the data acquisition rate. In other words, HMMs apply to slow kinetics. The problem is, because the transition rates are unknown in principle, it is unclear, a priori, whether the HMM applies to a particular system. For this reason, we must generalize HMMs for physical systems, such as single molecules, because these switch between discrete states in "continuous time". We do so by exploiting recent mathematical tools developed in the context of inferring Markov jump processes and propose the hidden Markov jump process. We explicitly show in what limit the hidden Markov jump process reduces to the HMM. Resolving the discrete time discrepancy of the HMM has clear implications: we no longer need to assume that processes, such as molecular events, must occur on timescales slower than data acquisition and can learn transition rates even if these are on the same timescale or otherwise exceed data acquisition rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeliha Kilic
- Center for Biological Physics, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - Ioannis Sgouralis
- Department of Mathematics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Steve Pressé
- Center for Biological Physics, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.
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20
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Choi HK, Min D, Kang H, Shon MJ, Rah SH, Kim HC, Jeong H, Choi HJ, Bowie JU, Yoon TY. Watching helical membrane proteins fold reveals a common N-to-C-terminal folding pathway. Science 2020; 366:1150-1156. [PMID: 31780561 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw8208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
To understand membrane protein biogenesis, we need to explore folding within a bilayer context. Here, we describe a single-molecule force microscopy technique that monitors the folding of helical membrane proteins in vesicle and bicelle environments. After completely unfolding the protein at high force, we lower the force to initiate folding while transmembrane helices are aligned in a zigzag manner within the bilayer, thereby imposing minimal constraints on folding. We used the approach to characterize the folding pathways of the Escherichia coli rhomboid protease GlpG and the human β2-adrenergic receptor. Despite their evolutionary distance, both proteins fold in a strict N-to-C-terminal fashion, accruing structures in units of helical hairpins. These common features suggest that integral helical membrane proteins have evolved to maximize their fitness with cotranslational folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Kyu Choi
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea.,School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea.,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Duyoung Min
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Hyunook Kang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Min Ju Shon
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea.,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Sang-Hyun Rah
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea.,School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea.,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hak Chan Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hawoong Jeong
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Hee-Jung Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea.
| | - James U Bowie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Tae-Young Yoon
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea. .,Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
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21
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Munc13-1 MUN domain and Munc18-1 cooperatively chaperone SNARE assembly through a tetrameric complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 117:1036-1041. [PMID: 31888993 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1914361117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Munc13-1 is a large multifunctional protein essential for synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release. Its dysfunction has been linked to many neurological disorders. Evidence suggests that the MUN domain of Munc13-1 collaborates with Munc18-1 to initiate SNARE assembly, thereby priming vesicles for fast calcium-triggered vesicle fusion. The underlying molecular mechanism, however, is poorly understood. Recently, it was found that Munc18-1 catalyzes neuronal SNARE assembly through an obligate template complex intermediate containing Munc18-1 and 2 SNARE proteins-syntaxin 1 and VAMP2. Here, using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we discovered that the MUN domain of Munc13-1 stabilizes the template complex by ∼2.1 kBT. The MUN-bound template complex enhances SNAP-25 binding to the templated SNAREs and subsequent full SNARE assembly. Mutational studies suggest that the MUN-bound template complex is functionally important for SNARE assembly and neurotransmitter release. Taken together, our observations provide a potential molecular mechanism by which Munc13-1 and Munc18-1 cooperatively chaperone SNARE folding and assembly, thereby regulating synaptic vesicle fusion.
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22
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Hou P, Shi J, White KM, Gao Y, Cui J. ML277 specifically enhances the fully activated open state of KCNQ1 by modulating VSD-pore coupling. eLife 2019; 8:e48576. [PMID: 31329101 PMCID: PMC6684268 DOI: 10.7554/elife.48576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon membrane depolarization, the KCNQ1 potassium channel opens at the intermediate (IO) and activated (AO) states of the stepwise voltage-sensing domain (VSD) activation. In the heart, KCNQ1 associates with KCNE1 subunits to form IKs channels that regulate heart rhythm. KCNE1 suppresses the IO state so that the IKs channel opens only to the AO state. Here, we tested modulations of human KCNQ1 channels by an activator ML277 in Xenopus oocytes. It exclusively changes the pore opening properties of the AO state without altering the IO state, but does not affect VSD activation. These observations support a distinctive mechanism responsible for the VSD-pore coupling at the AO state that is sensitive to ML277 modulation. ML277 provides insights and a tool to investigate the gating mechanism of KCNQ1 channels, and our study reveals a new strategy for treating long QT syndrome by specifically enhancing the AO state of native IKs currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Hou
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability DisordersWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Cardiac Bioelectricity and Arrhythmia CenterWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
| | - Jingyi Shi
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability DisordersWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Cardiac Bioelectricity and Arrhythmia CenterWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
| | - Kelli McFarland White
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability DisordersWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Cardiac Bioelectricity and Arrhythmia CenterWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
| | | | - Jianmin Cui
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability DisordersWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Cardiac Bioelectricity and Arrhythmia CenterWashington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
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23
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Ma L, Jiao J, Zhang Y. Single-Molecule Optical Tweezers Study of Regulated SNARE Assembly. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1860:95-114. [PMID: 30317500 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8760-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular membrane fusion mediates material and information exchange among different cells or cellular compartments with high accuracy and spatiotemporal resolution. Fusion is driven by ordered folding and assembly of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) receptors (SNAREs) and regulated by many other proteins. Understanding regulated SNARE assembly is key to dissecting mechanisms and physiologies of various fusion processes and their associated diseases. Yet, it remains challenging to study regulated SNARE assembly using traditional ensemble-based experimental approaches. Here, we describe our new method to measure the energy and kinetics of neuronal SNARE assembly in the presence of α-SNAP, using a single-molecule manipulation approach based on high-resolution optical tweezers. Detailed experimental protocols and methods of data analysis are shown. This approach can be widely applied to elucidate the effects of regulatory proteins on SNARE assembly and membrane fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Ma
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junyi Jiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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24
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Jiao J, He M, Port SA, Baker RW, Xu Y, Qu H, Xiong Y, Wang Y, Jin H, Eisemann TJ, Hughson FM, Zhang Y. Munc18-1 catalyzes neuronal SNARE assembly by templating SNARE association. eLife 2018; 7:41771. [PMID: 30540253 PMCID: PMC6320071 DOI: 10.7554/elife.41771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Sec1/Munc18-family (SM) proteins are required for SNARE-mediated membrane fusion, but their mechanism(s) of action remain controversial. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we found that the SM protein Munc18-1 catalyzes step-wise zippering of three synaptic SNAREs (syntaxin, VAMP2, and SNAP-25) into a four-helix bundle. Catalysis requires formation of an intermediate template complex in which Munc18-1 juxtaposes the N-terminal regions of the SNARE motifs of syntaxin and VAMP2, while keeping their C-terminal regions separated. SNAP-25 binds the templated SNAREs to induce full SNARE zippering. Munc18-1 mutations modulate the stability of the template complex in a manner consistent with their effects on membrane fusion, indicating that chaperoned SNARE assembly is essential for exocytosis. Two other SM proteins, Munc18-3 and Vps33, similarly chaperone SNARE assembly via a template complex, suggesting that SM protein mechanism is conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Jiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Mengze He
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Sarah A Port
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Richard W Baker
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Yonggang Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Hong Qu
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Yujian Xiong
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Yukun Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Huaizhou Jin
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Travis J Eisemann
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Frederick M Hughson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
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Ma L, Cai Y, Li Y, Jiao J, Wu Z, O'Shaughnessy B, De Camilli P, Karatekin E, Zhang Y. Single-molecule force spectroscopy of protein-membrane interactions. eLife 2017; 6:30493. [PMID: 29083305 PMCID: PMC5690283 DOI: 10.7554/elife.30493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many biological processes rely on protein–membrane interactions in the presence of mechanical forces, yet high resolution methods to quantify such interactions are lacking. Here, we describe a single-molecule force spectroscopy approach to quantify membrane binding of C2 domains in Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) and Extended Synaptotagmin-2 (E-Syt2). Syts and E-Syts bind the plasma membrane via multiple C2 domains, bridging the plasma membrane with synaptic vesicles or endoplasmic reticulum to regulate membrane fusion or lipid exchange, respectively. In our approach, single proteins attached to membranes supported on silica beads are pulled by optical tweezers, allowing membrane binding and unbinding transitions to be measured with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. C2 domains from either protein resisted unbinding forces of 2–7 pN and had binding energies of 4–14 kBT per C2 domain. Regulation by bilayer composition or Ca2+ recapitulated known properties of both proteins. The method can be widely applied to study protein–membrane interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Ma
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiying Cai
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Yanghui Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,College of Optical and Electronic Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junyi Jiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | - Zhenyong Wu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, United States
| | - Ben O'Shaughnessy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Pietro De Camilli
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Erdem Karatekin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, United States.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, United States.,Laboratoire de Neurophotonique, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 8250, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
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26
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Two Disease-Causing SNAP-25B Mutations Selectively Impair SNARE C-terminal Assembly. J Mol Biol 2017; 430:479-490. [PMID: 29056461 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic exocytosis relies on assembly of three soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor (SNARE) proteins into a parallel four-helix bundle to drive membrane fusion. SNARE assembly occurs by stepwise zippering of the vesicle-associated SNARE (v-SNARE) onto a binary SNARE complex on the target plasma membrane (t-SNARE). Zippering begins with slow N-terminal association followed by rapid C-terminal zippering, which serves as a power stroke to drive membrane fusion. SNARE mutations have been associated with numerous diseases, especially neurological disorders. It remains unclear how these mutations affect SNARE zippering, partly due to difficulties to quantify the energetics and kinetics of SNARE assembly. Here, we used single-molecule optical tweezers to measure the assembly energy and kinetics of SNARE complexes containing single mutations I67T/N in neuronal SNARE synaptosomal-associated protein of 25kDa (SNAP-25B), which disrupt neurotransmitter release and have been implicated in neurological disorders. We found that both mutations significantly reduced the energy of C-terminal zippering by ~10 kBT, but did not affect N-terminal assembly. In addition, we observed that both mutations lead to unfolding of the C-terminal region in the t-SNARE complex. Our findings suggest that both SNAP-25B mutations impair synaptic exocytosis by destabilizing SNARE assembly, rather than stabilizing SNARE assembly as previously proposed. Therefore, our measurements provide insights into the molecular mechanism of the disease caused by SNARE mutations.
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27
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Zhang Y. Energetics, kinetics, and pathway of SNARE folding and assembly revealed by optical tweezers. Protein Sci 2017; 26:1252-1265. [PMID: 28097727 PMCID: PMC5477538 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) are universal molecular engines that drive membrane fusion. Particularly, synaptic SNAREs mediate fast calcium-triggered fusion of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles with plasma membranes for synaptic transmission, the basis of all thought and action. During membrane fusion, complementary SNAREs located on two apposed membranes (often called t- and v-SNAREs) join together to assemble into a parallel four-helix bundle, releasing the energy to overcome the energy barrier for fusion. A long-standing hypothesis suggests that SNAREs act like a zipper to draw the two membranes into proximity and thereby force them to fuse. However, a quantitative test of this SNARE zippering hypothesis was hindered by difficulties to determine the energetics and kinetics of SNARE assembly and to identify the relevant folding intermediates. Here, we first review different approaches that have been applied to study SNARE assembly and then focus on high-resolution optical tweezers. We summarize the folding energies, kinetics, and pathways of both wild-type and mutant SNARE complexes derived from this new approach. These results show that synaptic SNAREs assemble in four distinct stages with different functions: slow N-terminal domain association initiates SNARE assembly; a middle domain suspends and controls SNARE assembly; and rapid sequential zippering of the C-terminal domain and the linker domain directly drive membrane fusion. In addition, the kinetics and pathway of the stagewise assembly are shared by other SNARE complexes. These measurements prove the SNARE zippering hypothesis and suggest new mechanisms for SNARE assembly regulated by other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of MedicineYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticut06511
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28
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Stability, folding dynamics, and long-range conformational transition of the synaptic t-SNARE complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E8031-E8040. [PMID: 27911771 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1605748113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) couple their stepwise folding to fusion of synaptic vesicles with plasma membranes. In this process, three SNAREs assemble into a stable four-helix bundle. Arguably, the first and rate-limiting step of SNARE assembly is the formation of an activated binary target (t)-SNARE complex on the target plasma membrane, which then zippers with the vesicle (v)-SNARE on the vesicle to drive membrane fusion. However, the t-SNARE complex readily misfolds, and its structure, stability, and dynamics are elusive. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we modeled the synaptic t-SNARE complex as a parallel three-helix bundle with a small frayed C terminus. The helical bundle sequentially folded in an N-terminal domain (NTD) and a C-terminal domain (CTD) separated by a central ionic layer, with total unfolding energy of ∼17 kBT, where kB is the Boltzmann constant and T is 300 K. Peptide binding to the CTD activated the t-SNARE complex to initiate NTD zippering with the v-SNARE, a mechanism likely shared by the mammalian uncoordinated-18-1 protein (Munc18-1). The NTD zippering then dramatically stabilized the CTD, facilitating further SNARE zippering. The subtle bidirectional t-SNARE conformational switch was mediated by the ionic layer. Thus, the t-SNARE complex acted as a switch to enable fast and controlled SNARE zippering required for synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmission.
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