1
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Yun SD, Scott E, Chang JY, Bahramimoghaddam H, Lynn M, Lantz C, Russell DH, Laganowsky A. Capturing RAS oligomerization on a membrane. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2405986121. [PMID: 39145928 PMCID: PMC11348296 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2405986121] [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: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
RAS GTPases associate with the biological membrane where they function as molecular switches to regulate cell growth. Recent studies indicate that RAS proteins oligomerize on membranes, and disrupting these assemblies represents an alternative therapeutic strategy. However, conflicting reports on RAS assemblies, ranging in size from dimers to nanoclusters, have brought to the fore key questions regarding the stoichiometry and parameters that influence oligomerization. Here, we probe three isoforms of RAS [Kirsten Rat Sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), Harvey Rat Sarcoma viral oncogene (HRAS), and Neuroblastoma oncogene (NRAS)] directly from membranes using mass spectrometry. We show that KRAS on membranes in the inactive state (GDP-bound) is monomeric but forms dimers in the active state (GTP-bound). We demonstrate that the small molecule BI2852 can induce dimerization of KRAS, whereas the binding of effector proteins disrupts dimerization. We also show that RAS dimerization is dependent on lipid composition and reveal that oligomerization of NRAS is regulated by palmitoylation. By monitoring the intrinsic GTPase activity of RAS, we capture the emergence of a dimer containing either mixed nucleotides or GDP on membranes. We find that the interaction of RAS with the catalytic domain of Son of Sevenless (SOScat) is influenced by membrane composition. We also capture the activation and monomer to dimer conversion of KRAS by SOScat. These results not only reveal the stoichiometry of RAS assemblies on membranes but also uncover the impact of critical factors on oligomerization, encompassing regulation by nucleotides, lipids, and palmitoylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangho D. Yun
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Elena Scott
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Jing-Yuan Chang
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | | | - Michael Lynn
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Carter Lantz
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - David H. Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Arthur Laganowsky
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
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2
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Shrestha R, Carpenter TS, Van QN, Agamasu C, Tonelli M, Aydin F, Chen D, Gulten G, Glosli JN, López CA, Oppelstrup T, Neale C, Gnanakaran S, Gillette WK, Ingólfsson HI, Lightstone FC, Stephen AG, Streitz FH, Nissley DV, Turbyville TJ. Membrane lipids drive formation of KRAS4b-RAF1 RBDCRD nanoclusters on the membrane. Commun Biol 2024; 7:242. [PMID: 38418613 PMCID: PMC10902389 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05916-0] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The oncogene RAS, extensively studied for decades, presents persistent gaps in understanding, hindering the development of effective therapeutic strategies due to a lack of precise details on how RAS initiates MAPK signaling with RAF effector proteins at the plasma membrane. Recent advances in X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy offer structural and spatial insights, yet the molecular mechanisms involving protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions in RAS-mediated signaling require further characterization. This study utilizes single-molecule experimental techniques, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the computational Machine-Learned Modeling Infrastructure (MuMMI) to examine KRAS4b and RAF1 on a biologically relevant lipid bilayer. MuMMI captures long-timescale events while preserving detailed atomic descriptions, providing testable models for experimental validation. Both in vitro and computational studies reveal that RBDCRD binding alters KRAS lateral diffusion on the lipid bilayer, increasing cluster size and decreasing diffusion. RAS and membrane binding cause hydrophobic residues in the CRD region to penetrate the bilayer, stabilizing complexes through β-strand elongation. These cooperative interactions among lipids, KRAS4b, and RAF1 are proposed as essential for forming nanoclusters, potentially a critical step in MAP kinase signal activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebika Shrestha
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Timothy S Carpenter
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Que N Van
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Constance Agamasu
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Marco Tonelli
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, Biochemistry Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Fikret Aydin
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - De Chen
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Gulcin Gulten
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - James N Glosli
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Cesar A López
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA
| | - Tomas Oppelstrup
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Chris Neale
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA
| | - Sandrasegaram Gnanakaran
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA
| | - William K Gillette
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Helgi I Ingólfsson
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Felice C Lightstone
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Frederick H Streitz
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Dwight V Nissley
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Thomas J Turbyville
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA.
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3
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Walker G, Brown C, Ge X, Kumar S, Muzumdar MD, Gupta K, Bhattacharyya M. Oligomeric organization of membrane proteins from native membranes at nanoscale spatial and single-molecule resolution. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:85-94. [PMID: 38012273 PMCID: PMC10981947 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The oligomeric organization of membrane proteins in native cell membranes is a critical regulator of their function. High-resolution quantitative measurements of oligomeric assemblies and how they change under different conditions are indispensable to understanding membrane protein biology. We report Native-nanoBleach, a total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy-based single-molecule photobleaching step analysis technique to determine the oligomeric distribution of membrane proteins directly from native membranes at an effective spatial resolution of ~10 nm. We achieved this by capturing target membrane proteins in native nanodiscs with their proximal native membrane environment using amphipathic copolymers. We applied Native-nanoBleach to quantify the oligomerization status of structurally and functionally diverse membrane proteins, including a receptor tyrosine kinase (TrkA) and a small GTPase (KRas) under growth-factor binding and oncogenic mutations, respectively. Our data suggest that Native-nanoBleach provides a sensitive, single-molecule platform to quantify membrane protein oligomeric distributions in native membranes under physiologically and clinically relevant conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Walker
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Caroline Brown
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xiangyu Ge
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shailesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mandar D Muzumdar
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, USA
| | - Kallol Gupta
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
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4
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Dai J, Wilhelm KB, Bischoff AJ, Pereira JH, Dedeo MT, García-Almedina DM, Adams PD, Groves JT, Francis MB. A Membrane-Associated Light-Harvesting Model is Enabled by Functionalized Assemblies of Gene-Doubled TMV Proteins. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207805. [PMID: 36811150 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic light harvesting requires efficient energy transfer within dynamic networks of light-harvesting complexes embedded within phospholipid membranes. Artificial light-harvesting models are valuable tools for understanding the structural features underpinning energy absorption and transfer within chromophore arrays. Here, a method for attaching a protein-based light-harvesting model to a planar, fluid supported lipid bilayer (SLB) is developed. The protein model consists of the tobacco mosaic viral capsid proteins that are gene-doubled to create a tandem dimer (dTMV). Assemblies of dTMV break the facial symmetry of the double disk to allow for differentiation between the disk faces. A single reactive lysine residue is incorporated into the dTMV assemblies for the site-selective attachment of chromophores for light absorption. On the opposing dTMV face, a cysteine residue is incorporated for the bioconjugation of a peptide containing a polyhistidine tag for association with SLBs. The dual-modified dTMV complexes show significant association with SLBs and exhibit mobility on the bilayer. The techniques used herein offer a new method for protein-surface attachment and provide a platform for evaluating excited state energy transfer events in a dynamic, fully synthetic artificial light-harvesting system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Dai
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Kiera B Wilhelm
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Amanda J Bischoff
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jose H Pereira
- Technology Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94720, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Michel T Dedeo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | - Paul D Adams
- Technology Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94720, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Matthew B Francis
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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5
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Nocka LM, Eisen TJ, Iavarone AT, Groves JT, Kuriyan J. Stimulation of the catalytic activity of the tyrosine kinase Btk by the adaptor protein Grb2. eLife 2023; 12:e82676. [PMID: 37159508 PMCID: PMC10132808 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Tec-family kinase Btk contains a lipid-binding Pleckstrin homology and Tec homology (PH-TH) module connected by a proline-rich linker to a 'Src module', an SH3-SH2-kinase unit also found in Src-family kinases and Abl. We showed previously that Btk is activated by PH-TH dimerization, which is triggered on membranes by the phosphatidyl inositol phosphate PIP3, or in solution by inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) (Wang et al., 2015, https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06074). We now report that the ubiquitous adaptor protein growth-factor-receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) binds to and substantially increases the activity of PIP3-bound Btk on membranes. Using reconstitution on supported-lipid bilayers, we find that Grb2 can be recruited to membrane-bound Btk through interaction with the proline-rich linker in Btk. This interaction requires intact Grb2, containing both SH3 domains and the SH2 domain, but does not require that the SH2 domain be able to bind phosphorylated tyrosine residues - thus Grb2 bound to Btk is free to interact with scaffold proteins via the SH2 domain. We show that the Grb2-Btk interaction recruits Btk to scaffold-mediated signaling clusters in reconstituted membranes. Our findings indicate that PIP3-mediated dimerization of Btk does not fully activate Btk, and that Btk adopts an autoinhibited state at the membrane that is released by Grb2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Nocka
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Timothy J Eisen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Anthony T Iavarone
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- College of Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science, Nanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - John Kuriyan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
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6
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Simanshu DK, Philips MR, Hancock JF. Consensus on the RAS dimerization hypothesis: Strong evidence for lipid-mediated clustering but not for G-domain-mediated interactions. Mol Cell 2023; 83:1210-1215. [PMID: 36990093 PMCID: PMC10150945 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
One of the open questions in RAS biology is the existence of RAS dimers and their role in RAF dimerization and activation. The idea of RAS dimers arose from the discovery that RAF kinases function as obligate dimers, which generated the hypothesis that RAF dimer formation might be nucleated by G-domain-mediated RAS dimerization. Here, we review the evidence for RAS dimerization and describe a recent discussion among RAS researchers that led to a consensus that the clustering of two or more RAS proteins is not due to the stable association of G-domains but, instead, is a consequence of RAS C-terminal membrane anchors and the membrane phospholipids with which they interact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhirendra K Simanshu
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Mark R Philips
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - John F Hancock
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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7
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Walker G, Brown C, Ge X, Kumar S, Muzumdar MD, Gupta K, Bhattacharyya M. Determination of oligomeric organization of membrane proteins from native membranes at nanoscale-spatial and single-molecule resolution. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.19.529138. [PMID: 36865290 PMCID: PMC9980011 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.19.529138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The oligomeric organization of membrane proteins in native cell membranes is a critical regulator of their function. High-resolution quantitative measurements of oligomeric assemblies and how they change under different conditions are indispensable to the understanding of membrane protein biology. We report a single-molecule imaging technique (Native-nanoBleach) to determine the oligomeric distribution of membrane proteins directly from native membranes at an effective spatial resolution of ∼10 nm. We achieved this by capturing target membrane proteins in "native nanodiscs" with their proximal native membrane environment using amphipathic copolymers. We established this method using structurally and functionally diverse membrane proteins with well-established stoichiometries. We then applied Native-nanoBleach to quantify the oligomerization status of a receptor tyrosine kinase (TrkA) and a small GTPase (KRas) under conditions of growth-factor binding or oncogenic mutations, respectively. Native-nanoBleach provides a sensitive, single-molecule platform to quantify membrane protein oligomeric distributions in native membranes at an unprecedented spatial resolution.
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8
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Ngo VA, Garcia AE. Millisecond molecular dynamics simulations of KRas-dimer formation and interfaces. Biophys J 2022; 121:3730-3744. [PMID: 35462078 PMCID: PMC9617078 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras dimers have been proposed as building blocks for initiating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cellular signaling pathway. To better examine the structure of possible dimer interfaces, the dynamics of Ras dimerization, and its potential signaling consequences, we performed molecular dynamics simulations totaling 1 ms of sampling, using an all-atom model of two full-length, farnesylated, guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound, wild-type KRas4b proteins diffusing on 29%POPS (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine)-mixed POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) membranes. Our simulations unveil an ensemble of thermodynamically weak KRas dimers spanning multiple conformations. The most stable conformations, having the largest interface areas, involve helix α2 and a hypervariable region (HVR). Among the dimer conformations, we found that the HVR of each KRas has frequent interactions with various parts of the dimer, thus potentially mediating the dimerization. Some dimer configurations have one KRas G-domain elevated above the lipid bilayer surface by residing on top of the other G-domain, thus likely contributing to the recruitment of cytosolic Raf kinases in the context of a stably formed multi-protein complex. We identified a variant of the α4-α5 KRas-dimer interface that is similar to the interfaces obtained with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) data of HRas on lipid bilayers. Interestingly, we found two arginine fingers, R68 and R149, that directly interact with the beta-phosphate of the GTP bound in KRas, in a manner similar to what is observed in a crystal structure of GAP-HRas complex, which can facilitate the GTP hydrolysis via the arginine finger of GTPase-activating protein (GAP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Van A Ngo
- Advanced Computing for Life Sciences and Engineering Group, Science Engagement Section, National Center for Computational Sciences, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS), Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Angel E Garcia
- Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS), Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico.
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9
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Nguyen K, López CA, Neale C, Van QN, Carpenter TS, Di Natale F, Travers T, Tran TH, Chan AH, Bhatia H, Frank PH, Tonelli M, Zhang X, Gulten G, Reddy T, Burns V, Oppelstrup T, Hengartner N, Simanshu DK, Bremer PT, Chen D, Glosli JN, Shrestha R, Turbyville T, Streitz FH, Nissley DV, Ingólfsson HI, Stephen AG, Lightstone FC, Gnanakaran S. Exploring CRD mobility during RAS/RAF engagement at the membrane. Biophys J 2022; 121:3630-3650. [PMID: 35778842 PMCID: PMC9617161 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, the RAS-binding domain (RBD) and cysteine-rich domain (CRD) of RAF bind to active RAS at the plasma membrane. The orientation of RAS at the membrane may be critical for formation of the RAS-RBDCRD complex and subsequent signaling. To explore how RAS membrane orientation relates to the protein dynamics within the RAS-RBDCRD complex, we perform multiscale coarse-grained and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of KRAS4b bound to the RBD and CRD domains of RAF-1, both in solution and anchored to a model plasma membrane. Solution MD simulations describe dynamic KRAS4b-CRD conformations, suggesting that the CRD has sufficient flexibility in this environment to substantially change its binding interface with KRAS4b. In contrast, when the ternary complex is anchored to the membrane, the mobility of the CRD relative to KRAS4b is restricted, resulting in fewer distinct KRAS4b-CRD conformations. These simulations implicate membrane orientations of the ternary complex that are consistent with NMR measurements. While a crystal structure-like conformation is observed in both solution and membrane simulations, a particular intermolecular rearrangement of the ternary complex is observed only when it is anchored to the membrane. This configuration emerges when the CRD hydrophobic loops are inserted into the membrane and helices α3-5 of KRAS4b are solvent exposed. This membrane-specific configuration is stabilized by KRAS4b-CRD contacts that are not observed in the crystal structure. These results suggest modulatory interplay between the CRD and plasma membrane that correlate with RAS/RAF complex structure and dynamics, and potentially influence subsequent steps in the activation of MAPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kien Nguyen
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Cesar A López
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Chris Neale
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Que N Van
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Timothy S Carpenter
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Francesco Di Natale
- Applications, Simulations, and Quality, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | | | - Timothy H Tran
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Albert H Chan
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Harsh Bhatia
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Peter H Frank
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Marco Tonelli
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, Biochemistry Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Xiaohua Zhang
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Gulcin Gulten
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Tyler Reddy
- CCS-7, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Violetta Burns
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Tomas Oppelstrup
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Nick Hengartner
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Dhirendra K Simanshu
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Peer-Timo Bremer
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - De Chen
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - James N Glosli
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Rebika Shrestha
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Thomas Turbyville
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Frederick H Streitz
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Dwight V Nissley
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Helgi I Ingólfsson
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Felice C Lightstone
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Sandrasegaram Gnanakaran
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico.
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10
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Hansen SD, Lee AA, Duewell BR, Groves JT. Membrane-mediated dimerization potentiates PIP5K lipid kinase activity. eLife 2022; 11:73747. [PMID: 35976097 PMCID: PMC9470164 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) family of lipid-modifying enzymes generate the majority of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] lipids found at the plasma membrane in eukaryotic cells. PI(4,5)P2 lipids serve a critical role in regulating receptor activation, ion channel gating, endocytosis, and actin nucleation. Here, we describe how PIP5K activity is regulated by cooperative binding to PI(4,5)P2 lipids and membrane-mediated dimerization of the kinase domain. In contrast to constitutively dimeric phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate 4-kinase (PIP4K, type II PIPK), solution PIP5K exists in a weak monomer–dimer equilibrium. PIP5K monomers can associate with PI(4,5)P2-containing membranes and dimerize in a protein density-dependent manner. Although dispensable for cooperative PI(4,5)P2 binding, dimerization enhances the catalytic efficiency of PIP5K through a mechanism consistent with allosteric regulation. Additionally, dimerization amplifies stochastic variation in the kinase reaction velocity and strengthens effects such as the recently described stochastic geometry sensing. Overall, the mechanism of PIP5K membrane binding creates a broad dynamic range of lipid kinase activities that are coupled to the density of PI(4,5)P2 and membrane-bound kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott D Hansen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oregon, Eugene, United States
| | - Albert A Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Benjamin R Duewell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oregon, Eugene, United States
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
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11
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Lin CW, Nocka LM, Stinger BL, DeGrandchamp JB, Lew LJN, Alvarez S, Phan HT, Kondo Y, Kuriyan J, Groves JT. A two-component protein condensate of the EGFR cytoplasmic tail and Grb2 regulates Ras activation by SOS at the membrane. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2122531119. [PMID: 35507881 PMCID: PMC9181613 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122531119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We reconstitute a phosphotyrosine-mediated protein condensation phase transition of the ∼200 residue cytoplasmic tail of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the adaptor protein, Grb2, on a membrane surface. The phase transition depends on phosphorylation of the EGFR tail, which recruits Grb2, and crosslinking through a Grb2-Grb2 binding interface. The Grb2 Y160 residue plays a structurally critical role in the Grb2-Grb2 interaction, and phosphorylation or mutation of Y160 prevents EGFR:Grb2 condensation. By extending the reconstitution experiment to include the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, SOS, and its substrate Ras, we further find that the condensation state of the EGFR tail controls the ability of SOS, recruited via Grb2, to activate Ras. These results identify an EGFR:Grb2 protein condensation phase transition as a regulator of signal propagation from EGFR to the MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Wei Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Laura M. Nocka
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | | | | | - L. J. Nugent Lew
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Steven Alvarez
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Henry T. Phan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Yasushi Kondo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - John Kuriyan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- HHMI, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
| | - Jay T. Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Division of Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore
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12
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Li ZL, Mattos C, Buck M. Computational studies of the principle of dynamic-change-driven protein interactions. Structure 2022; 30:909-916.e2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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13
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Jepson TA, Hall SC, Chung JK. Single-molecule phospholipase A2 becomes processive on melittin-induced membrane deformations. Biophys J 2022; 121:1417-1423. [PMID: 35314142 PMCID: PMC9072580 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
While it is established that the topology of lipid membranes plays an important role in biochemical processes, few direct observations exist regarding how the membranes are actively restructured and its consequences on subsequent reactions. In this work, we investigated how the two major components of bee venom, melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), achieve activation by such membrane remodeling. Their membrane-disrupting functions have been reported to increase when both are present, but the mechanism of this synergism had not been established. Using membrane reconstitution, we found that melittin can form large-scale membrane deformities upon which PLA2 activity is 25-fold higher. Tracking of single-molecule PLA2 revealed that its processive behavior on these deformities underlies the enhanced activity. These results show how melittin and PLA2 work synergistically to enhance the lytic effects of the bee venom. More broadly, they also demonstrate how the membrane topology may be actively altered to modulate cellular membrane-bound reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah C Hall
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Jean K Chung
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
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14
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Kulkarni P, Leite VBP, Roy S, Bhattacharyya S, Mohanty A, Achuthan S, Singh D, Appadurai R, Rangarajan G, Weninger K, Orban J, Srivastava A, Jolly MK, Onuchic JN, Uversky VN, Salgia R. Intrinsically disordered proteins: Ensembles at the limits of Anfinsen's dogma. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:011306. [PMID: 38505224 PMCID: PMC10903413 DOI: 10.1063/5.0080512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are proteins that lack rigid 3D structure. Hence, they are often misconceived to present a challenge to Anfinsen's dogma. However, IDPs exist as ensembles that sample a quasi-continuum of rapidly interconverting conformations and, as such, may represent proteins at the extreme limit of the Anfinsen postulate. IDPs play important biological roles and are key components of the cellular protein interaction network (PIN). Many IDPs can interconvert between disordered and ordered states as they bind to appropriate partners. Conformational dynamics of IDPs contribute to conformational noise in the cell. Thus, the dysregulation of IDPs contributes to increased noise and "promiscuous" interactions. This leads to PIN rewiring to output an appropriate response underscoring the critical role of IDPs in cellular decision making. Nonetheless, IDPs are not easily tractable experimentally. Furthermore, in the absence of a reference conformation, discerning the energy landscape representation of the weakly funneled IDPs in terms of reaction coordinates is challenging. To understand conformational dynamics in real time and decipher how IDPs recognize multiple binding partners with high specificity, several sophisticated knowledge-based and physics-based in silico sampling techniques have been developed. Here, using specific examples, we highlight recent advances in energy landscape visualization and molecular dynamics simulations to discern conformational dynamics and discuss how the conformational preferences of IDPs modulate their function, especially in phenotypic switching. Finally, we discuss recent progress in identifying small molecules targeting IDPs underscoring the potential therapeutic value of IDPs. Understanding structure and function of IDPs can not only provide new insight on cellular decision making but may also help to refine and extend Anfinsen's structure/function paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Vitor B. P. Leite
- Departamento de Física, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo 15054-000, Brazil
| | - Susmita Roy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Supriyo Bhattacharyya
- Translational Bioinformatics, Center for Informatics, Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Srisairam Achuthan
- Center for Informatics, Division of Research Informatics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Divyoj Singh
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Rajeswari Appadurai
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Govindan Rangarajan
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Keith Weninger
- Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | | | - Anand Srivastava
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Jose N. Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005-1892, USA
| | | | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
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15
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Andreadelis I, Kiriakidi S, Lamprakis C, Theodoropoulou A, Doerr S, Chatzigoulas A, Manchester J, Velez-Vega C, Duca JS, Cournia Z. Membrane Composition and Raf[CRD]-Membrane Attachment Are Driving Forces for K-Ras4B Dimer Stability. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:1504-1519. [PMID: 35142524 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c01184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Ras proteins are membrane-anchored GTPases that regulate key cellular signaling networks. It has been recently shown that different anionic lipid types can affect the properties of Ras in terms of dimerization/clustering on the cell membrane. To understand the effects of anionic lipids on key spatiotemporal properties of dimeric K-Ras4B, we perform all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of the dimer K-Ras4B in the presence and absence of Raf[RBD/CRD] effectors on two model anionic lipid membranes: one containing 78% mol DOPC, 20% mol DOPS, and 2% mol PIP2 and another one with enhanced concentration of anionic lipids containing 50% mol DOPC, 40% mol DOPS, and 10% mol PIP2. Analysis of our results unveils the orientational space of dimeric K-Ras4B and shows that the stability of the dimer is enhanced on the membrane containing a high concentration of anionic lipids in the absence of Raf effectors. This enhanced stability is also observed in the presence of Raf[RBD/CRD] effectors although it is not influenced by the concentration of anionic lipids in the membrane, but rather on the ability of Raf[CRD] to anchor to the membrane. We generate dominant K-Ras4B conformations by Markov state modeling and yield the population of states according to the K-Ras4B orientation on the membrane. For the membrane containing anionic lipids, we observe correlations between the diffusion of K-Ras4B and PIP2 and anchoring of anionic lipids to the Raf[CRD] domain. We conclude that the presence of effectors with the Raf[CRD] domain anchoring on the membrane as well as the membrane composition both influence the conformational stability of the K-Ras4B dimer, enabling the preservation of crucial interface interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Andreadelis
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Kiriakidi
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Lamprakis
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Stefan Doerr
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios Chatzigoulas
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - John Manchester
- Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Camilo Velez-Vega
- Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - José S Duca
- Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Zoe Cournia
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
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16
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Pavic K, Chippalkatti R, Abankwa D. Drug targeting opportunities en route to Ras nanoclusters. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 153:63-99. [PMID: 35101236 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Disruption of the native membrane organization of Ras by the farnesyltransferase inhibitor tipifarnib in the late 1990s constituted the first indirect approach to drug target Ras. Since then, our understanding of how dynamically Ras shuttles between subcellular locations has changed significantly. Ras proteins have to arrive at the plasma membrane for efficient MAPK-signal propagation. On the plasma membrane Ras proteins are organized into isoform specific proteo-lipid assemblies called nanocluster. Recent evidence suggests that Ras nanocluster have a specific lipid composition, which supports the recruitment of effectors such as Raf. Conversely, effectors possess lipid-recognition motifs, which appear to serve as co-incidence detectors for the lipid domain of a given Ras isoform. Evidence suggests that dimeric Raf proteins then co-assemble dimeric Ras in an immobile complex, thus forming the minimal unit of an active nanocluster. Here we review established and novel trafficking chaperones and trafficking factors of Ras, along with the set of lipid and protein modulators of Ras nanoclustering. We highlight drug targeting approaches and opportunities against these determinants of functional Ras membrane organization. Finally, we reflect on implications for Ras signaling in polarized cells, such as epithelia, which are a common origin of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pavic
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Rohan Chippalkatti
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Daniel Abankwa
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
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17
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Ozdemir ES, Koester AM, Nan X. Ras Multimers on the Membrane: Many Ways for a Heart-to-Heart Conversation. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:219. [PMID: 35205266 PMCID: PMC8872464 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Formation of Ras multimers, including dimers and nanoclusters, has emerged as an exciting, new front of research in the 'old' field of Ras biomedicine. With significant advances made in the past few years, we are beginning to understand the structure of Ras multimers and, albeit preliminary, mechanisms that regulate their formation in vitro and in cells. Here we aim to synthesize the knowledge accrued thus far on Ras multimers, particularly the presence of multiple globular (G-) domain interfaces, and discuss how membrane nanodomain composition and structure would influence Ras multimer formation. We end with some general thoughts on the potential implications of Ras multimers in basic and translational biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Sila Ozdemir
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S Moody Ave., Portland, OR 97201, USA;
| | - Anna M. Koester
- Program in Quantitative and Systems Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, 2730 S Moody Ave., Portland, OR 97201, USA;
| | - Xiaolin Nan
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S Moody Ave., Portland, OR 97201, USA;
- Program in Quantitative and Systems Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, 2730 S Moody Ave., Portland, OR 97201, USA;
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18
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Shrestha R, Chen D, Frank P, Nissley DV, Turbyville TJ. Recapitulation of cell-like KRAS4b membrane dynamics on complex biomimetic membranes. iScience 2022; 25:103608. [PMID: 35106460 PMCID: PMC8786645 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the spatiotemporal distribution and dynamics of RAS on the plasma membrane (PM) is the key for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the RAS signaling pathway. Single particle tracking (SPT) experiments show that in cells, KRAS diffuses in at least three interchanging states on the cellular PM; however, KRAS remains monomeric and always shows homogeneous diffusion on artificial membranes. Here, we show for the first time on a supported lipid bilayer composed of heterogeneous lipid components that we can recapitulate the three-state diffusion of KRAS seen in cells. The use of a biologically relevant eight-lipid system opens a new frontier in the biophysical studies of RAS and other membrane associated proteins on a biomimetic system that recapitulates the complexity of a cellular PM. KRAS4b shows homogeneous diffusion on simple 2-lipids bilayer KRAS4b shows a cell-like, three-state diffusion on a complex 8-lipid bilayer Phase separation in lipids favors the multi-state diffusion of KRAS4b The complex lipid composition favors RAS nanoclustering irrespective of nucleotide state
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebika Shrestha
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - De Chen
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Peter Frank
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Dwight V Nissley
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Thomas J Turbyville
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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19
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Ingólfsson HI, Neale C, Carpenter TS, Shrestha R, López CA, Tran TH, Oppelstrup T, Bhatia H, Stanton LG, Zhang X, Sundram S, Di Natale F, Agarwal A, Dharuman G, Kokkila Schumacher SIL, Turbyville T, Gulten G, Van QN, Goswami D, Jean-Francois F, Agamasu C, Chen D, Hettige JJ, Travers T, Sarkar S, Surh MP, Yang Y, Moody A, Liu S, Van Essen BC, Voter AF, Ramanathan A, Hengartner NW, Simanshu DK, Stephen AG, Bremer PT, Gnanakaran S, Glosli JN, Lightstone FC, McCormick F, Nissley DV, Streitz FH. Machine learning-driven multiscale modeling reveals lipid-dependent dynamics of RAS signaling proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2113297119. [PMID: 34983849 PMCID: PMC8740753 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2113297119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS is a signaling protein associated with the cell membrane that is mutated in up to 30% of human cancers. RAS signaling has been proposed to be regulated by dynamic heterogeneity of the cell membrane. Investigating such a mechanism requires near-atomistic detail at macroscopic temporal and spatial scales, which is not possible with conventional computational or experimental techniques. We demonstrate here a multiscale simulation infrastructure that uses machine learning to create a scale-bridging ensemble of over 100,000 simulations of active wild-type KRAS on a complex, asymmetric membrane. Initialized and validated with experimental data (including a new structure of active wild-type KRAS), these simulations represent a substantial advance in the ability to characterize RAS-membrane biology. We report distinctive patterns of local lipid composition that correlate with interfacially promiscuous RAS multimerization. These lipid fingerprints are coupled to RAS dynamics, predicted to influence effector binding, and therefore may be a mechanism for regulating cell signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helgi I Ingólfsson
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Chris Neale
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Timothy S Carpenter
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Rebika Shrestha
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Cesar A López
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Timothy H Tran
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Tomas Oppelstrup
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Harsh Bhatia
- Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Liam G Stanton
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San José State University, San José, CA 95192
| | - Xiaohua Zhang
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Shiv Sundram
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Francesco Di Natale
- Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Animesh Agarwal
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Gautham Dharuman
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | | | - Thomas Turbyville
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Gulcin Gulten
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Que N Van
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Debanjan Goswami
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Frantz Jean-Francois
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Constance Agamasu
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - De Chen
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Jeevapani J Hettige
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Timothy Travers
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Sumantra Sarkar
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Michael P Surh
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Yue Yang
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Adam Moody
- Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Shusen Liu
- Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Brian C Van Essen
- Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Arthur F Voter
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Arvind Ramanathan
- Computing, Environment & Life Sciences Directorate, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439
| | - Nicolas W Hengartner
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Dhirendra K Simanshu
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701
| | - Peer-Timo Bremer
- Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - S Gnanakaran
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - James N Glosli
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Felice C Lightstone
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
| | - Frank McCormick
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701;
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115
| | - Dwight V Nissley
- RAS Initiative, The Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21701;
| | - Frederick H Streitz
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550;
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20
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Hall D, Foster AS. Practical considerations for feature assignment in high-speed AFM of live cell membranes. Biophys Physicobiol 2022; 19:1-21. [PMID: 35797405 PMCID: PMC9173863 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v19.0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Damien Hall
- WPI Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University
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21
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Heinrich F, Van QN, Jean-Francois F, Stephen AG, Lösche M. Membrane-bound KRAS approximates an entropic ensemble of configurations. Biophys J 2021; 120:4055-4066. [PMID: 34384763 PMCID: PMC8510975 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS4B is a membrane-anchored signaling protein and a primary target in cancer research. Predictions from molecular dynamics simulations that have previously shaped our mechanistic understanding of KRAS signaling disagree with recent experimental results from neutron reflectometry, NMR, and thermodynamic binding studies. To gain insight into these discrepancies, we compare this body of biophysical data to back-calculated experimental results from a series of molecular simulations that implement different subsets of molecular interactions. Our results show that KRAS4B approximates an entropic ensemble of configurations at model membranes containing 30% phosphatidylserine lipids, which is not significantly shaped by interactions between the globular G-domain of KRAS4B and the lipid membrane. These findings revise our understanding of KRAS signaling and promote a model in which the protein samples the accessible conformational space in a near-uniform manner while being available to bind to effector proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Heinrich
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
| | - Que N Van
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Frantz Jean-Francois
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Mathias Lösche
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland
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22
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Cookis T, Mattos C. Crystal Structure Reveals the Full Ras-Raf Interface and Advances Mechanistic Understanding of Raf Activation. Biomolecules 2021; 11:996. [PMID: 34356620 PMCID: PMC8301913 DOI: 10.3390/biom11070996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras and Raf-kinase interact through the Ras-binding (RBD) and cysteine-rich domains (CRD) of Raf to signal through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, yet the molecular mechanism leading to Raf activation has remained elusive. We present the 2.8 Å crystal structure of the HRas-CRaf-RBD_CRD complex showing the Ras-Raf interface as a continuous surface on Ras, as seen in the KRas-CRaf-RBD_CRD structure. In molecular dynamics simulations of a Ras dimer model formed through the α4-α5 interface, the CRD is dynamic and located between the two Ras protomers, poised for direct or allosteric modulation of functionally relevant regions of Ras and Raf. We propose a molecular model in which Ras binding is involved in the release of Raf autoinhibition while the Ras-Raf complex dimerizes to promote a platform for signal amplification, with Raf-CRD centrally located to impact regulation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carla Mattos
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
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23
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Ras Variant Biology and Contributions to Human Disease. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2021; 2262:3-18. [PMID: 33977468 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1190-6_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of cancer and RASopathy genetic databases reveals that ~19% of all cancer cases and ~4% of developmental disorders contain Ras mutations. Ras isoform and mutation variants differentially contribute to these diseases and provide an opportunity for deeper understanding of Ras function. The putative mechanisms underpinning these differences, new approaches that are being applied, and some of the key questions and challenges that remain are discussed.
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24
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Rudack T, Teuber C, Scherlo M, Güldenhaupt J, Schartner J, Lübben M, Klare J, Gerwert K, Kötting C. The Ras dimer structure. Chem Sci 2021; 12:8178-8189. [PMID: 34194708 PMCID: PMC8208300 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00957e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic mutated Ras is a key player in cancer, but despite intense and expensive approaches its catalytic center seems undruggable. The Ras dimer interface is a possible alternative drug target. Dimerization at the membrane affects cell growth signal transduction. In vivo studies indicate that preventing dimerization of oncogenic mutated Ras inhibits uncontrolled cell growth. Conventional computational drug-screening approaches require a precise atomic dimer model as input to successfully access drug candidates. However, the proposed dimer structural models are controversial. Here, we provide a clear-cut experimentally validated N-Ras dimer structural model. We incorporated unnatural amino acids into Ras to enable the binding of labels at multiple positions via click chemistry. This labeling allowed the determination of multiple distances of the membrane-bound Ras-dimer measured by fluorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In combination with protein-protein docking and biomolecular simulations, we identified key residues for dimerization. Site-directed mutations of these residues prevent dimer formation in our experiments, proving our dimer model to be correct. The presented dimer structure enables computational drug-screening studies exploiting the Ras dimer interface as an alternative drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Rudack
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Christian Teuber
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Marvin Scherlo
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Jörn Güldenhaupt
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Jonas Schartner
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Mathias Lübben
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Johann Klare
- Department of Physics, Osnabrück University 49074 Osnabrück Germany
| | - Klaus Gerwert
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Carsten Kötting
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
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25
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Jepson TA, Chung JK. Diffusion-based determination of protein homodimerization on reconstituted membrane surfaces. BMB Rep 2021. [PMID: 33408000 PMCID: PMC8016661 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2021.54.3.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The transient interactions between cellular components, particularly on membrane surfaces, are critical in the proper function of many biochemical reactions. For example, many signaling pathways involve dimerization, oligomerization, or other types of clustering of signaling proteins as a key step in the signaling cascade. However, it is often experimentally challenging to directly observe and characterize the molecular mechanisms such interactions—the greatest difficulty lies in the fact that living cells have an unknown number of background processes that may or may not participate in the molecular process of interest, and as a consequence, it is usually impossible to definitively correlate an observation to a well-defined cellular mechanism. One of the experimental methods that can quantitatively capture these interactions is through membrane reconstitution, whereby a lipid bilayer is fabricated to mimic the membrane environment, and the biological components of interest are systematically introduced, without unknown background processes. This configuration allows the extensive use of fluorescence techniques, particularly fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. In this review, we describe how the equilibrium diffusion of two proteins, K-Ras4B and the PH domain of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk), on fluid lipid membranes can be used to determine the kinetics of homodimerization reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler A. Jepson
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Jean K. Chung
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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26
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Packer MR, Parker JA, Chung JK, Li Z, Lee YK, Cookis T, Guterres H, Alvarez S, Hossain MA, Donnelly DP, Agar JN, Makowski L, Buck M, Groves JT, Mattos C. Raf promotes dimerization of the Ras G-domain with increased allosteric connections. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2015648118. [PMID: 33653954 PMCID: PMC7958358 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015648118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras dimerization is critical for Raf activation. Here we show that the Ras binding domain of Raf (Raf-RBD) induces robust Ras dimerization at low surface densities on supported lipid bilayers and, to a lesser extent, in solution as observed by size exclusion chromatography and confirmed by SAXS. Community network analysis based on molecular dynamics simulations shows robust allosteric connections linking the two Raf-RBD D113 residues located in the Galectin scaffold protein binding site of each Raf-RBD molecule and 85 Å apart on opposite ends of the dimer complex. Our results suggest that Raf-RBD binding and Ras dimerization are concerted events that lead to a high-affinity signaling complex at the membrane that we propose is an essential unit in the macromolecular assembly of higher order Ras/Raf/Galectin complexes important for signaling through the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan R Packer
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Jillian A Parker
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Jean K Chung
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Zhenlu Li
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Young Kwang Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Trinity Cookis
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Hugo Guterres
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Steven Alvarez
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Md Amin Hossain
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Daniel P Donnelly
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Jeffrey N Agar
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Lee Makowski
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Matthias Buck
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Carla Mattos
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115;
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27
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Van QN, Prakash P, Shrestha R, Balius TE, Turbyville TJ, Stephen AG. RAS Nanoclusters: Dynamic Signaling Platforms Amenable to Therapeutic Intervention. Biomolecules 2021; 11:377. [PMID: 33802474 PMCID: PMC8000715 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS proteins are mutated in approximately 20% of all cancers and are generally associated with poor clinical outcomes. RAS proteins are localized to the plasma membrane and function as molecular switches, turned on by partners that receive extracellular mitogenic signals. In the on-state, they activate intracellular signal transduction cascades. Membrane-bound RAS molecules segregate into multimers, known as nanoclusters. These nanoclusters, held together through weak protein-protein and protein-lipid associations, are highly dynamic and respond to cellular input signals and fluctuations in the local lipid environment. Disruption of RAS nanoclusters results in downregulation of RAS-mediated mitogenic signaling. In this review, we discuss the propensity of RAS proteins to display clustering behavior and the interfaces that are associated with these assemblies. Strategies to therapeutically disrupt nanocluster formation or the stabilization of signaling incompetent RAS complexes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew G. Stephen
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (Q.N.V.); (P.P.); (R.S.); (T.E.B.); (T.J.T.)
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28
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Wong JJ, Chen Z, Chung JK, Groves JT, Jardetzky TS. EphrinB2 clustering by Nipah virus G is required to activate and trap F intermediates at supported lipid bilayer-cell interfaces. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabe1235. [PMID: 33571127 PMCID: PMC7840137 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe1235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Paramyxovirus membrane fusion requires an attachment protein that binds to a host cell receptor and a fusion protein that merges the viral and host membranes. For Nipah virus (NiV), the G attachment protein binds ephrinB2/B3 receptors and activates F-mediated fusion. To visualize dynamic events of these proteins at the membrane interface, we reconstituted NiV fusion activation by overlaying F- and G-expressing cells onto ephrinB2-functionalized supported lipid bilayers and used TIRF microscopy to follow F, G, and ephrinB2. We found that G and ephrinB2 form clusters and that oligomerization of ephrinB2 is necessary for F activation. Single-molecule tracking of F particles revealed accumulation of an immobilized intermediate upon activation. We found no evidence for stable F-G protein complexes before or after activation. These observations lead to a revised model for NiV fusion activation and provide a foundation for investigating other multicomponent viral fusion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce J Wong
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zhongwen Chen
- Multiscale Research Institute of Complex Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jean K Chung
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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29
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Abstract
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have become increasingly useful in the modern drug development process. In this review, we give a broad overview of the current application possibilities of MD in drug discovery and pharmaceutical development. Starting from the target validation step of the drug development process, we give several examples of how MD studies can give important insights into the dynamics and function of identified drug targets such as sirtuins, RAS proteins, or intrinsically disordered proteins. The role of MD in antibody design is also reviewed. In the lead discovery and lead optimization phases, MD facilitates the evaluation of the binding energetics and kinetics of the ligand-receptor interactions, therefore guiding the choice of the best candidate molecules for further development. The importance of considering the biological lipid bilayer environment in the MD simulations of membrane proteins is also discussed, using G-protein coupled receptors and ion channels as well as the drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes as relevant examples. Lastly, we discuss the emerging role of MD simulations in facilitating the pharmaceutical formulation development of drugs and candidate drugs. Specifically, we look at how MD can be used in studying the crystalline and amorphous solids, the stability of amorphous drug or drug-polymer formulations, and drug solubility. Moreover, since nanoparticle drug formulations are of great interest in the field of drug delivery research, different applications of nano-particle simulations are also briefly summarized using multiple recent studies as examples. In the future, the role of MD simulations in facilitating the drug development process is likely to grow substantially with the increasing computer power and advancements in the development of force fields and enhanced MD methodologies.
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30
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Abankwa D, Gorfe AA. Mechanisms of Ras Membrane Organization and Signaling: Ras Rocks Again. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1522. [PMID: 33172116 PMCID: PMC7694788 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras is the most frequently mutated oncogene and recent drug development efforts have spurred significant new research interest. Here we review progress toward understanding how Ras functions in nanoscale, proteo-lipid signaling complexes on the plasma membrane, called nanoclusters. We discuss how G-domain reorientation is plausibly linked to Ras-nanoclustering and -dimerization. We then look at how these mechanistic features could cooperate in the engagement and activation of RAF by Ras. Moreover, we show how this structural information can be integrated with microscopy data that provide nanoscale resolution in cell biological experiments. Synthesizing the available data, we propose to distinguish between two types of Ras nanoclusters, an active, immobile RAF-dependent type and an inactive/neutral membrane anchor-dependent. We conclude that it is possible that Ras reorientation enables dynamic Ras dimerization while the whole Ras/RAF complex transits into an active state. These transient di/oligomer interfaces of Ras may be amenable to pharmacological intervention. We close by highlighting a number of open questions including whether all effectors form active nanoclusters and whether there is an isoform specific composition of Ras nanocluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Abankwa
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette 4362, Luxembourg
| | - Alemayehu A. Gorfe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
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31
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Zuberi M, Khan I, O’Bryan JP. Inhibition of RAS: proven and potential vulnerabilities. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:1831-1841. [PMID: 32869838 PMCID: PMC7875515 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RAS is a membrane localized small GTPase frequently mutated in human cancer. As such, RAS has been a focal target for developing cancer therapeutics since its discovery nearly four decades ago. However, efforts to directly target RAS have been challenging due to the apparent lack of readily discernable deep pockets for binding small molecule inhibitors leading many to consider RAS as undruggable. An important milestone in direct RAS inhibition was achieved recently with the groundbreaking discovery of covalent inhibitors that target the mutant Cys residue in KRAS(G12C). Surprisingly, these G12C-reactive compounds only target mutant RAS in the GDP-bound state thereby locking it in the inactive conformation and blocking its ability to couple with downstream effector pathways. Building on this success, several groups have developed similar compounds that selectively target KRAS(G12C), with AMG510 and MRTX849 the first to advance to clinical trials. Both have shown early promising results. Though the success with these compounds has reignited the possibility of direct pharmacological inhibition of RAS, these covalent inhibitors are limited to treating KRAS(G12C) tumors which account for <15% of all RAS mutants in human tumors. Thus, there remains an unmet need to identify more broadly efficacious RAS inhibitors. Here, we will discuss the current state of RAS(G12C) inhibitors and the potential for inhibiting additional RAS mutants through targeting RAS dimerization which has emerged as an important step in the allosteric regulation of RAS function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariyam Zuberi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, United States of America
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, United States of America
| | - John P. O’Bryan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, United States of America
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32
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Van QN, López CA, Tonelli M, Taylor T, Niu B, Stanley CB, Bhowmik D, Tran TH, Frank PH, Messing S, Alexander P, Scott D, Ye X, Drew M, Chertov O, Lösche M, Ramanathan A, Gross ML, Hengartner NW, Westler WM, Markley JL, Simanshu DK, Nissley DV, Gillette WK, Esposito D, McCormick F, Gnanakaran S, Heinrich F, Stephen AG. Uncovering a membrane-distal conformation of KRAS available to recruit RAF to the plasma membrane. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:24258-24268. [PMID: 32913056 PMCID: PMC7533834 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006504117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase KRAS is localized at the plasma membrane where it functions as a molecular switch, coupling extracellular growth factor stimulation to intracellular signaling networks. In this process, KRAS recruits effectors, such as RAF kinase, to the plasma membrane where they are activated by a series of complex molecular steps. Defining the membrane-bound state of KRAS is fundamental to understanding the activation of RAF kinase and in evaluating novel therapeutic opportunities for the inhibition of oncogenic KRAS-mediated signaling. We combined multiple biophysical measurements and computational methodologies to generate a consensus model for authentically processed, membrane-anchored KRAS. In contrast to the two membrane-proximal conformations previously reported, we identify a third significantly populated state using a combination of neutron reflectivity, fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP), and NMR. In this highly populated state, which we refer to as "membrane-distal" and estimate to comprise ∼90% of the ensemble, the G-domain does not directly contact the membrane but is tethered via its C-terminal hypervariable region and carboxymethylated farnesyl moiety, as shown by FPOP. Subsequent interaction of the RAF1 RAS binding domain with KRAS does not significantly change G-domain configurations on the membrane but affects their relative populations. Overall, our results are consistent with a directional fly-casting mechanism for KRAS, in which the membrane-distal state of the G-domain can effectively recruit RAF kinase from the cytoplasm for activation at the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Que N Van
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Cesar A López
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Marco Tonelli
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, Biochemistry Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Troy Taylor
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Ben Niu
- National Mass Spectrometry Resource, Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Christopher B Stanley
- Computational Sciences and Engineering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
| | - Debsindhu Bhowmik
- Computational Sciences and Engineering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
| | - Timothy H Tran
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Peter H Frank
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Simon Messing
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Patrick Alexander
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Daniel Scott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Xiaoying Ye
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Matt Drew
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Oleg Chertov
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Mathias Lösche
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
| | - Arvind Ramanathan
- Data Science and Learning Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439
| | - Michael L Gross
- National Mass Spectrometry Resource, Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Nicolas W Hengartner
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - William M Westler
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, Biochemistry Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - John L Markley
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, Biochemistry Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Dhirendra K Simanshu
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Dwight V Nissley
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - William K Gillette
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Dominic Esposito
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Frank McCormick
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702;
| | - S Gnanakaran
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Frank Heinrich
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702;
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33
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Chung JK, Huang WYC, Carbone CB, Nocka LM, Parikh AN, Vale RD, Groves JT. Coupled membrane lipid miscibility and phosphotyrosine-driven protein condensation phase transitions. Biophys J 2020; 120:1257-1265. [PMID: 33080222 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid miscibility phase separation has long been considered to be a central element of cell membrane organization. More recently, protein condensation phase transitions, into three-dimensional droplets or in two-dimensional lattices on membrane surfaces, have emerged as another important organizational principle within cells. Here, we reconstitute the linker for activation of T cells (LAT):growth-factor-receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2):son of sevenless (SOS) protein condensation on the surface of giant unilamellar vesicles capable of undergoing lipid phase separations. Our results indicate that the assembly of the protein condensate on the membrane surface can drive lipid phase separation. This phase transition occurs isothermally and is governed by tyrosine phosphorylation on LAT. Furthermore, we observe that the induced lipid phase separation drives localization of the SOS substrate, K-Ras, into the LAT:Grb2:SOS protein condensate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean K Chung
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Institute, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
| | - William Y C Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Institute, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
| | - Catherine B Carbone
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Institute, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
| | - Laura M Nocka
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Atul N Parikh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Ronald D Vale
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Institute, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Institute, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
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34
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Gasper R, Wittinghofer F. The Ras switch in structural and historical perspective. Biol Chem 2020; 401:143-163. [PMID: 31600136 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Since its discovery as an oncogene more than 40 years ago, Ras has been and still is in the focus of many academic and pharmaceutical labs around the world. A huge amount of work has accumulated on its biology. However, many questions about the role of the different Ras isoforms in health and disease still exist and a full understanding will require more intensive work in the future. Here we try to survey some of the structural findings in a historical perspective and how it has influenced our understanding of structure-function and mechanistic relationships of Ras and its interactions. The structures show that Ras is a stable molecular machine that uses the dynamics of its switch regions for the interaction with all regulators and effectors. This conformational flexibility has been used to create small molecule drug candidates against this important oncoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Gasper
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie, Otto-Hahn-Str. 11, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Fred Wittinghofer
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie, Otto-Hahn-Str. 11, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
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35
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Kattan WE, Hancock JF. RAS Function in cancer cells: translating membrane biology and biochemistry into new therapeutics. Biochem J 2020; 477:2893-2919. [PMID: 32797215 PMCID: PMC7891675 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20190839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The three human RAS proteins are mutated and constitutively activated in ∼20% of cancers leading to cell growth and proliferation. For the past three decades, many attempts have been made to inhibit these proteins with little success. Recently; however, multiple methods have emerged to inhibit KRAS, the most prevalently mutated isoform. These methods and the underlying biology will be discussed in this review with a special focus on KRAS-plasma membrane interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walaa E. Kattan
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, TX 77030, USA
| | - John F. Hancock
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, TX 77030, USA
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Abstract
RAS was identified as a human oncogene in the early 1980s and subsequently found to be mutated in nearly 30% of all human cancers. More importantly, RAS plays a central role in driving tumor development and maintenance. Despite decades of effort, there remain no FDA approved drugs that directly inhibit RAS. The prevalence of RAS mutations in cancer and the lack of effective anti-RAS therapies stem from RAS' core role in growth factor signaling, unique structural features, and biochemistry. However, recent advances have brought promising new drugs to clinical trials and shone a ray of hope in the field. Here, we will exposit the details of RAS biology that illustrate its key role in cell signaling and shed light on the difficulties in therapeutically targeting RAS. Furthermore, past and current efforts to develop RAS inhibitors will be discussed in depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Matthew Rhett
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - John P O'Bryan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States.
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37
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Ngo VA, Sarkar S, Neale C, Garcia AE. How Anionic Lipids Affect Spatiotemporal Properties of KRAS4B on Model Membranes. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:5434-5453. [PMID: 32438809 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c02642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RAS proteins are small membrane-anchored GTPases that regulate key cellular signaling networks. It has been recently shown that different anionic lipid types can affect the spatiotemporal properties of RAS through dimerization/clustering and signaling fidelity. To understand the effects of anionic lipids on key spatiotemporal properties of RAS, we dissected 1 ms of data from all-atom molecular dynamics simulations for KRAS4B on two model anionic lipid membranes that have 30% of POPS mixed with neutral POPC and 8% of PIP2 mixed with POPC. We unveiled the orientation space of KRAS4B, whose kinetics were slower and more distinguishable on the membrane containing PIP2 than the membrane containing POPS. Particularly, the PIP2-mixed membrane can differentiate a third kinetic orientation state from the other two known orientation states. We observed that each orientation state may yield different binding modes with an RAF kinase, which is required for activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. However, an overall occluded probability, for which RAF kinases cannot bind KRAS4B, remains unchanged on the two different membranes. We identified rare fast diffusion modes of KRAS4B that appear coupled with orientations exposed to cytosolic RAF. Particularly, on the membrane having PIP2, we found nonlinear correlations between the orientation states and the conformations of the cationic farnesylated hypervariable region, which acts as an anchor in the membrane. Using diffusion coefficients estimated from the all-atom simulations, we quantified the effect of PIP2 and POPS on the KRAS4B dimerization via Green's function reaction dynamics simulations, in which the averaged dimerization rate is 12.5% slower on PIP2-mixed membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van A Ngo
- Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS), Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Sumantra Sarkar
- Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS), Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Chris Neale
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, T-6, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Angel E Garcia
- Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS), Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
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38
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Analysis of RAS protein interactions in living cells reveals a mechanism for pan-RAS depletion by membrane-targeted RAS binders. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:12121-12130. [PMID: 32424096 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2000848117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HRAS, NRAS, and KRAS4A/KRAS4B comprise the RAS family of small GTPases that regulate signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. RAS pathway abnormalities cause developmental disorders and cancers. We found that KRAS4B colocalizes on the cell membrane with other RAS isoforms and a subset of prenylated small GTPase family members using a live-cell quantitative split luciferase complementation assay. RAS protein coclustering is mainly mediated by membrane association-facilitated interactions (MAFIs). Using the RAS-RBD (CRAF RAS binding domain) interaction as a model system, we showed that MAFI alone is not sufficient to induce RBD-mediated RAS inhibition. Surprisingly, we discovered that high-affinity membrane-targeted RAS binding proteins inhibit RAS activity and deplete RAS proteins through an autophagosome-lysosome-mediated degradation pathway. Our results provide a mechanism for regulating RAS activity and protein levels, a more detailed understanding of which should lead to therapeutic strategies for inhibiting and depleting oncogenic RAS proteins.
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39
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Sarkar S, García AE. Presence or Absence of Ras Dimerization Shows Distinct Kinetic Signature in Ras-Raf Interaction. Biophys J 2020; 118:1799-1810. [PMID: 32199071 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Initiations of cell signaling pathways often occur through the formation of multiprotein complexes that form through protein-protein interactions. Therefore, detecting their presence is central to understanding the function of a cell signaling pathway, aberration of which often leads to fatal diseases, including cancers. However, the multiprotein complexes are often difficult to detect using microscopes due to their small sizes. Therefore, currently, their presence can be only detected through indirect means. In this article, we propose to investigate the presence or absence of protein complexes through some easily measurable kinetic parameters, such as activation rates. As a proof of concept, we investigate the Ras-Raf system, a well-characterized cell signaling system. It has been hypothesized that Ras dimerization is necessary to create activated Raf dimers. Although there are circumstantial evidences supporting the Ras dimerization hypothesis, direct proof of Ras dimerization is still inconclusive. In the absence of conclusive direct experimental proof, this hypothesis can only be examined through indirect evidences of Ras dimerization. In this article, using a multiscale simulation technique, we provide multiple criteria that distinguishes an activation mechanism involving Ras dimerization from another mechanism that does not involve Ras dimerization. The provided criteria will be useful in the investigation of not only Ras-Raf interaction but also other two-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumantra Sarkar
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Angel E García
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico.
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40
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Neale C, García AE. The Plasma Membrane as a Competitive Inhibitor and Positive Allosteric Modulator of KRas4B Signaling. Biophys J 2020; 118:1129-1141. [PMID: 32027820 PMCID: PMC7063485 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutant Ras proteins are important drivers of human cancers, yet no approved drugs act directly on this difficult target. Over the last decade, the idea has emerged that oncogenic signaling can be diminished by molecules that drive Ras into orientations in which effector-binding interfaces are occluded by the cell membrane. To support this approach to drug discovery, we characterize the orientational preferences of membrane-bound K-Ras4B in 1.45-ms aggregate time of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Individual simulations probe active or inactive states of Ras on membranes with or without anionic lipids. We find that the membrane orientation of Ras is relatively insensitive to its bound guanine nucleotide and activation state but depends strongly on interactions with anionic phosphatidylserine lipids. These lipids slow Ras' translational and orientational diffusion and promote a discrete population in which small changes in orientation control Ras' competence to bind multiple regulator and effector proteins. Our results suggest that compound-directed conversion of constitutively active mutant Ras into functionally inactive forms may be accessible via subtle perturbations of Ras' orientational preferences at the membrane surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Neale
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Angel E García
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico.
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41
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Muratcioglu S, Aydin C, Odabasi E, Ozdemir ES, Firat-Karalar EN, Jang H, Tsai CJ, Nussinov R, Kavakli IH, Gursoy A, Keskin O. Oncogenic K-Ras4B Dimerization Enhances Downstream Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:1199-1215. [PMID: 31931009 PMCID: PMC8533050 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ras recruits and activates effectors that transmit receptor-initiated signals. Monomeric Ras can bind Raf; however, Raf's activation requires dimerization, which can be facilitated by Ras dimerization. Previously, we showed that active K-Ras4B dimerizes in silico and in vitro through two major interfaces: (i) β-interface, mapped to Switch I and effector-binding regions, (ii) α-interface at the allosteric lobe. Here, we chose constitutively active K-Ras4B as our control and two double mutants (K101D and R102E; and R41E and K42D) in the α- and β-interfaces. Two of the mutations are from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Catalogue Of Somatic Mutations In Cancer (COSMIC) data sets. R41 and R102 are found in several adenocarcinomas in Ras isoforms. We performed site-directed mutagenesis, cellular localization experiments, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to assess the impact of the mutations on K-Ras4B dimerization and function. α-interface K101D/R102E double mutations reduced dimerization but only slightly reduced downstream phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) (pERK) levels. While β-interface R41E/K42D double mutations did not interfere with dimerization, they almost completely blocked K-Ras4B-mediated ERK phosphorylation. Both double mutations increased downstream phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) levels in cells. Changes in pERK and pAkt levels altered ERK- and Akt-regulated gene expressions, such as EGR1, JUN, and BCL2L11. These results underscore the role of the α-interface in K-Ras4B homodimerization and the β-surface in effector binding. MD simulations highlight that the membrane and hypervariable region (HVR) interact with both α- and β-interfaces of K-Ras4B mutants, respectively, inhibiting homodimerization and probably effector binding. Mutations at both interfaces interfered with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling but in different forms and extents. We conclude that dimerization is not necessary but enhances downstream MAPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Muratcioglu
- Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Cihan Aydin
- Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Odabasi
- Departments of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - E Sila Ozdemir
- Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | | | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Chung-Jung Tsai
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ibrahim Halil Kavakli
- Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey; Departments of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Attila Gursoy
- Departments of Computer Engineering, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey.
| | - Ozlem Keskin
- Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey.
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42
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Khan I, Rhett JM, O'Bryan JP. Therapeutic targeting of RAS: New hope for drugging the "undruggable". BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118570. [PMID: 31678118 PMCID: PMC6937383 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.118570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in cancer and a critical driver of oncogenesis. Therapeutic targeting of RAS has been a goal of cancer research for more than 30 years due to its essential role in tumor formation and maintenance. Yet the quest to inhibit this challenging foe has been elusive. Although once considered "undruggable", the struggle to directly inhibit RAS has seen recent success with the development of pharmacological agents that specifically target the KRAS(G12C) mutant protein, which include the first direct RAS inhibitor to gain entry to clinical trials. However, the limited applicability of these inhibitors to G12C-mutant tumors demands further efforts to identify more broadly efficacious RAS inhibitors. Understanding allosteric influences on RAS may open new avenues to inhibit RAS. Here, we provide a brief overview of RAS biology and biochemistry, discuss the allosteric regulation of RAS, and summarize the various approaches to develop RAS inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Khan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, United States of America
| | - J Matthew Rhett
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, United States of America
| | - John P O'Bryan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, United States of America.
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43
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Pantsar T. The current understanding of KRAS protein structure and dynamics. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 18:189-198. [PMID: 31988705 PMCID: PMC6965201 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most common drivers in human cancer is the mutant KRAS protein. Not so long ago KRAS was considered as an undruggable oncoprotein. After a long struggle, however, we finally see some light at the end of the tunnel as promising KRAS targeted therapies are in or approaching clinical trials. In recent years, together with the promising progress in RAS drug discovery, our understanding of KRAS has increased tremendously. This progress has been accompanied with a resurgence of publicly available KRAS structures, which were limited to nine structures less than ten years ago. Furthermore, the ever-increasing computational capacity has made biologically relevant timescales accessible, enabling molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the dynamics of KRAS protein in more detail at the atomistic level. In this minireview, my aim is to provide the reader an overview of the publicly available KRAS structural data, insights to conformational dynamics revealed by experiments and what we have learned from MD simulations. Also, I will discuss limitations of the current data and provide suggestions for future research related to KRAS, which would fill out the existing gaps in our knowledge and provide guidance in deciphering this enigmatic oncoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatu Pantsar
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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44
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Lee Y, Phelps C, Huang T, Mostofian B, Wu L, Zhang Y, Tao K, Chang YH, Stork PJ, Gray JW, Zuckerman DM, Nan X. High-throughput, single-particle tracking reveals nested membrane domains that dictate KRas G12D diffusion and trafficking. eLife 2019; 8:46393. [PMID: 31674905 PMCID: PMC7060040 DOI: 10.7554/elife.46393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane nanodomains have been implicated in Ras signaling, but what these domains are and how they interact with Ras remain obscure. Here, using single particle tracking with photoactivated localization microscopy (spt-PALM) and detailed trajectory analysis, we show that distinct membrane domains dictate KRasG12D (an active KRas mutant) diffusion and trafficking in U2OS cells. KRasG12D exhibits an immobile state in ~70 nm domains, each embedded in a larger domain (~200 nm) that confers intermediate mobility, while the rest of the membrane supports fast diffusion. Moreover, KRasG12D is continuously removed from the membrane via the immobile state and replenished to the fast state, reminiscent of Ras internalization and recycling. Importantly, both the diffusion and trafficking properties of KRasG12D remain invariant over a broad range of protein expression levels. Our results reveal how membrane organization dictates membrane diffusion and trafficking of Ras and offer new insight into the spatial regulation of Ras signaling. The Ras family of proteins play an important role in relaying signals from the outside to the inside of the cell. Ras proteins are attached by a fatty tail to the inner surface of the cell membrane. When activated they transmit a burst of signal that controls critical behaviors like growth, survival and movement. It has been suggested that to prevent these signals from being accidently activated, Ras molecules must group together at specialized sites within the membrane before passing on their message. However, visualizing how Ras molecules cluster together at these domains has thus far been challenging. As a result, little is known about where these sites are located and how Ras molecules come to a stop at these domains. Now, Lee et al. have combined two microscopy techniques called ‘single-particle tracking’ and ‘photoactivated localization microscopy' to track how individual molecules of activated Ras move in human cells grown in the lab. This revealed that Ras molecules quickly diffuse along the inside of the membrane until they arrive at certain locations that cause them to halt. However, computer models consisting of just the ‘fast’ and ‘immobile’ state could not correctly re-capture the way Ras molecules moved along the membrane. Lee et al. found that for these models to mimic the movement of Ras, a third ‘intermediate’ state of Ras mobility needed to be included. To investigate this further, Lee et al. created a fluorescent map that overlaid all the individual paths taken by each Ras molecule. The map showed regions in the membrane where the Ras molecules had stopped and possibly clustered together. Each of these ‘immobilization domains’ were then surrounded by an ‘intermediate domain’ where Ras molecules had begun to slow down their movement. Although the intermediate domains did not last long, they seemed to guide Ras molecules into the immobilization domains where they could cluster together with other molecules. From there, the cell constantly removed Ras molecules from these membrane domains and returned them back to their ‘fast’ diffusing state. Mutations in Ras proteins occur in around a third of all cancers, so a better understanding of their dynamics could help with future drug discovery. The methods used here could also be used to investigate the movement of other signaling molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yerim Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Carey Phelps
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Barmak Mostofian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Kai Tao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Young Hwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Philip Js Stork
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Joe W Gray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Daniel M Zuckerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Xiaolin Nan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,Knight Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
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45
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Barklis E, Stephen AG, Staubus AO, Barklis RL, Alfadhli A. Organization of Farnesylated, Carboxymethylated KRAS4B on Membranes. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:3706-3717. [PMID: 31330153 PMCID: PMC6733658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mutations of the Ras proteins HRAS, KRAS4A, KRAS4B, and NRAS are associated with a high percentage of all human cancers. The proteins are composed of highly homologous N-terminal catalytic or globular domains, plus C-terminal hypervariable regions (HVRs). Post-translational modifications of all RAS HVRs helps target RAS proteins to cellular membrane locations where they perform their signaling functions. For the predominant KRAS4 isoform, KRAS4B, post-translational farnesylation and carboxymethylation, along with a patch of HVR basic residues help foster membrane binding. Recent investigations implicate membrane-bound RAS dimers, oligomers, and nanoclusters as landing pads for effector proteins that relay RAS signals. The details of these RAS signaling platforms have not been elucidated completely, in part due to the difficulties in preparing modified proteins. We have employed properly farnesylated and carboxymethylated KRAS4B in lipid monolayer incubations to examine how the proteins assemble on membranes. Our results reveal novel insights into to how KRAS4B may organize on membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Barklis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, 97239, OR, USA.
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21072, USA
| | - August O Staubus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, 97239, OR, USA
| | - Robin Lid Barklis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, 97239, OR, USA
| | - Ayna Alfadhli
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, 97239, OR, USA
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46
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Chung JK, Nocka LM, Decker A, Wang Q, Kadlecek TA, Weiss A, Kuriyan J, Groves JT. Switch-like activation of Bruton's tyrosine kinase by membrane-mediated dimerization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:10798-10803. [PMID: 31076553 PMCID: PMC6561188 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1819309116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The transformation of molecular binding events into cellular decisions is the basis of most biological signal transduction. A fundamental challenge faced by these systems is that reliance on protein-ligand chemical affinities alone generally results in poor sensitivity to ligand concentration, endangering the system to error. Here, we examine the lipid-binding pleckstrin homology and Tec homology (PH-TH) module of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and membrane-binding kinetic measurements, we identify a phosphatidylinositol (3-5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) sensing mechanism that achieves switch-like sensitivity to PIP3 levels, surpassing the intrinsic affinity discrimination of PIP3:PH binding. This mechanism employs multiple PIP3 binding as well as dimerization of Btk on the membrane surface. Studies in live cells confirm that mutations at the dimer interface and peripheral site produce effects comparable to that of the kinase-dead Btk in vivo. These results demonstrate how a single protein module can institute an allosteric counting mechanism to achieve high-precision discrimination of ligand concentration. Furthermore, this activation mechanism distinguishes Btk from other Tec family member kinases, Tec and Itk, which we show are not capable of dimerization through their PH-TH modules. This suggests that Btk plays a critical role in the stringency of the B cell response, whereas T cells rely on other mechanisms to achieve stringency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean K Chung
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Laura M Nocka
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Aubrianna Decker
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Theresa A Kadlecek
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Arthur Weiss
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
- The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - John Kuriyan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;
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47
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Killoran RC, Smith MJ. Conformational resolution of nucleotide cycling and effector interactions for multiple small GTPases determined in parallel. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:9937-9948. [PMID: 31088913 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.008653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases alternatively bind GDP/GTP guanine nucleotides to gate signaling pathways that direct most cellular processes. Numerous GTPases are implicated in oncogenesis, particularly the three RAS isoforms HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS and the RHO family GTPase RAC1. Signaling networks comprising small GTPases are highly connected, and there is some evidence of direct biochemical cross-talk between their functional G-domains. The activation potential of a given GTPase is contingent on a codependent interaction with the nucleotide and a Mg2+ ion, which bind to individual variants with distinct affinities coordinated by residues in the GTPase nucleotide-binding pocket. Here, we utilized a selective-labeling strategy coupled with real-time NMR spectroscopy to monitor nucleotide exchange, GTP hydrolysis, and effector interactions of multiple small GTPases in a single complex system. We provide insight into nucleotide preference and the role of Mg2+ in activating both WT and oncogenic mutant enzymes. Multiplexing revealed guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), GTPase-activating protein (GAP), and effector-binding specificities in mixtures of GTPases and resolved that the three related RAS isoforms are biochemically equivalent. This work establishes that direct quantitation of the nucleotide-bound conformation is required to accurately determine an activation potential for any given GTPase, as small GTPases such as RAS-like proto-oncogene A (RALA) or the G12C mutant of KRAS display fast exchange kinetics but have a high affinity for GDP. Furthermore, we propose that the G-domains of small GTPases behave autonomously in solution and that nucleotide cycling proceeds independently of protein concentration but is highly impacted by Mg2+ abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Killoran
- From the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer and
| | - Matthew J Smith
- From the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer and .,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada
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48
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Cao S, Chung S, Kim S, Li Z, Manor D, Buck M. K-Ras G-domain binding with signaling lipid phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-phosphate (PIP2): membrane association, protein orientation, and function. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:7068-7084. [PMID: 30792310 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras genes potently drive human cancers, with mutated proto-oncogene GTPase KRAS4B (K-Ras4B) being the most abundant isoform. Targeted inhibition of oncogenic gene products is considered the "holy grail" of present-day cancer therapy, and recent discoveries of small-molecule KRas4B inhibitors were made thanks to a deeper understanding of the structure and dynamics of this GTPase. Because interactions with biological membranes are key for Ras function, Ras-lipid interactions have become a major focus, especially because such interactions evidently involve both the Ras C terminus for lipid anchoring and its G-protein domain. Here, using NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations complemented by biophysical- and cell-biology assays, we investigated the interaction between K-Ras4B with the signaling lipid phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-phosphate (PIP2). We discovered that the β2 and β3 strands as well as helices 4 and 5 of the GTPase G-domain bind to PIP2 and identified the specific residues in these structural elements employed in these interactions, likely occurring in two K-Ras4B orientation states relative to the membrane. Importantly, we found that some of these residues known to be oncogenic when mutated (D47K, D92N, K104M, and D126N) are critical for K-Ras-mediated transformation of fibroblast cells, but do not substantially affect basal and assisted nucleotide hydrolysis and exchange. Moreover, the K104M substitution abolished localization of K-Ras to the plasma membrane. The findings suggest that specific G-domain residues can critically regulate Ras function by mediating interactions with membrane-associated PIP2 lipids; these insights that may inform the future design of therapeutic reagents targeting Ras activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufen Cao
- From the Departments of Physiology and Biophysics
| | | | | | - Zhenlu Li
- From the Departments of Physiology and Biophysics
| | - Danny Manor
- Nutrition, .,Pharmacology, and.,the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and
| | - Matthias Buck
- From the Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, .,the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and.,Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 and.,Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
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49
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Khan I, Spencer-Smith R, O'Bryan JP. Targeting the α4-α5 dimerization interface of K-RAS inhibits tumor formation in vivo. Oncogene 2018; 38:2984-2993. [PMID: 30573767 PMCID: PMC6474814 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0636-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
RAS genes are the most commonly mutated oncogenes in human cancers. Despite tremendous efforts over the past several decades, however, RAS-specific inhibitors remain elusive. Thus, targeting RAS remains a highly sought after goal of cancer research. Previously, we reported a new approach to inhibit RAS-dependent signaling and transformation in vitro through targeting the α4-α5 dimerization interface with a novel RAS-specific monobody, termed NS1. Expression of NS1 inhibits oncogenic K-RAS and H-RAS signaling and transformation in vitro. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of targeting RAS dimerization as an approach to inhibit tumor formation in vivo. Using a doxycycline (DOX) regulated NS1 expression system, we demonstrate that DOX-induced NS1 inhibited oncogenic K-RAS driven tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, we observed context-specific effects of NS1 on RAS-mediated signaling in 2D vs 3D growth conditions. Finally, our results highlight the potential therapeutic efficacy of targeting the α4-α5 dimerization interface as an approach to inhibit RAS-driven tumors in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Khan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.,Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.,Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
| | - Russell Spencer-Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.,Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - John P O'Bryan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. .,Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. .,Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA. .,Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, 29401, USA.
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50
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Small GTPase peripheral binding to membranes: molecular determinants and supramolecular organization. Biochem Soc Trans 2018; 47:13-22. [PMID: 30559268 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Small GTPases regulate many aspects of cell logistics by alternating between an inactive, GDP-bound form and an active, GTP-bound form. This nucleotide switch is coupled to a cytosol/membrane cycle, such that GTP-bound small GTPases carry out their functions at the periphery of endomembranes. A global understanding of the molecular determinants of the interaction of small GTPases with membranes and of the resulting supramolecular organization is beginning to emerge from studies of model systems. Recent studies highlighted that small GTPases establish multiple interactions with membranes involving their lipid anchor, their lipididated hypervariable region and elements in their GTPase domain, which combine to determine the strength, specificity and orientation of their association with lipids. Thereby, membrane association potentiates small GTPase interactions with GEFs, GAPs and effectors through colocalization and positional matching. Furthermore, it leads to small GTPase nanoclustering and to lipid demixing, which drives the assembly of molecular platforms in which proteins and lipids co-operate in producing high-fidelity signals through feedback and feedforward loops. Although still fragmentary, these observations point to an integrated model of signaling by membrane-attached small GTPases that involves a diversity of direct and indirect interactions, which can inspire new therapeutic strategies to block their activities in diseases.
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