1
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Alsaker NE, Halskau Ø, Haug BE, Reuter N, Nerdal W. Phospholipid Membrane Interactions of Model Ac-WL-X-LL-OH Peptides Investigated by Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:105. [PMID: 38786939 PMCID: PMC11123086 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14050105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The role of aromatic amino acids in peripheral protein membrane binding has been reported to involve cation-π interactions with choline lipids. In this study, we have investigated the interactions of the model pentapeptide Ac-WL-X-LL-OH (where X = L, Y, F, or W) with the phospholipid membrane using solid-state NMR. The effect of guest residue X on the peptide-lipid interactome was complementary to the seminal report on the interfacial hydrophobicity scale by Wimley and White. We found that the phospholipids retained a lamellar phase in the presence of each of the peptides with an aromatic X residue, whereas the Leu peptide perturbed the bilayer to an extent where an additional isotropic phase was observed. The solid-state NMR 13C and 31P data provide additional information on the influence of these short peptides on the membrane that has not been previously reported. The magnitude of membrane perturbation was in the order of guest residue X = L > Y~F > W, which is consistent with the relative amino acid interfacial affinity reported by Wimley and White. Further work is, however, required to uncover the behavior of the peptide and localization in the membrane domain due to ambiguity of the 13C NMR data. We have launched efforts in this regard for the objective of better understanding the role of aromatic amino acids in peripheral membrane protein binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolai Etwin Alsaker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, N-5007 Bergen, Norway; (B.E.H.); (N.R.); (W.N.)
| | - Øyvind Halskau
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 53A, N-5006 Bergen, Norway;
| | - Bengt Erik Haug
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, N-5007 Bergen, Norway; (B.E.H.); (N.R.); (W.N.)
| | - Nathalie Reuter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, N-5007 Bergen, Norway; (B.E.H.); (N.R.); (W.N.)
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 55, N-5008 Bergen, Norway
| | - Willy Nerdal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, N-5007 Bergen, Norway; (B.E.H.); (N.R.); (W.N.)
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2
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Nencini R, Regnier MLG, Backlund SM, Mantzari E, Dunn CD, Ollila OHS. Probing the dynamic landscape of peptides in molecular assemblies by synergized NMR experiments and MD simulations. Commun Chem 2024; 7:28. [PMID: 38351219 PMCID: PMC10864328 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01115-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptides or proteins containing small biomolecular aggregates, such as micelles, bicelles, droplets and nanodiscs, are pivotal in many fields ranging from structural biology to pharmaceutics. Monitoring dynamics of such systems has been limited by the lack of experimental methods that could directly detect their fast (picosecond to nanosecond) timescale dynamics. Spin relaxation times from NMR experiments are sensitive to such motions, but their interpretation for biomolecular aggregates is not straightforward. Here we show that the dynamic landscape of peptide-containing molecular assemblies can be determined by a synergistic combination of solution state NMR experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Solution state NMR experiments are straightforward to implement without an excessive amount of sample, while direct combination of spin relaxation data to MD simulations enables interpretation of dynamic landscapes of peptides and other aggregated molecules. To demonstrate this, we interpret NMR data from transmembrane, peripheral, and tail anchored peptides embedded in micelles. Our results indicate that peptides and detergent molecules do not rotate together as a rigid body, but peptides rotate in a viscous medium composed of detergent micelle. Spin relaxation times also provide indirect information on peptide conformational ensembles. This work gives new perspectives on peptide dynamics in complex biomolecular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricky Nencini
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Sofia M Backlund
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Cory D Dunn
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - O H Samuli Ollila
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland.
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3
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Liang L, Ji Y, Chen K, Gao P, Zhao Z, Hou G. Solid-State NMR Dipolar and Chemical Shift Anisotropy Recoupling Techniques for Structural and Dynamical Studies in Biological Systems. Chem Rev 2022; 122:9880-9942. [PMID: 35006680 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
With the development of NMR methodology and technology during the past decades, solid-state NMR (ssNMR) has become a particularly important tool for investigating structure and dynamics at atomic scale in biological systems, where the recoupling techniques play pivotal roles in modern high-resolution MAS NMR. In this review, following a brief introduction on the basic theory of recoupling in ssNMR, we highlight the recent advances in dipolar and chemical shift anisotropy recoupling methods, as well as their applications in structural determination and dynamical characterization at multiple time scales (i.e., fast-, intermediate-, and slow-motion). The performances of these prevalent recoupling techniques are compared and discussed in multiple aspects, together with the representative applications in biomolecules. Given the recent emerging advances in NMR technology, new challenges for recoupling methodology development and potential opportunities for biological systems are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, National Laboratory for Clean Energy, 2011-Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, National Laboratory for Clean Energy, 2011-Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kuizhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, National Laboratory for Clean Energy, 2011-Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Pan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, National Laboratory for Clean Energy, 2011-Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Zhenchao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, National Laboratory for Clean Energy, 2011-Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Guangjin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, National Laboratory for Clean Energy, 2011-Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
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4
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Kratochvil HT, Newberry RW, Mensa B, Mravic M, DeGrado WF. Spiers Memorial Lecture: Analysis and de novo design of membrane-interactive peptides. Faraday Discuss 2021; 232:9-48. [PMID: 34693965 PMCID: PMC8979563 DOI: 10.1039/d1fd00061f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Membrane-peptide interactions play critical roles in many cellular and organismic functions, including protection from infection, remodeling of membranes, signaling, and ion transport. Peptides interact with membranes in a variety of ways: some associate with membrane surfaces in either intrinsically disordered conformations or well-defined secondary structures. Peptides with sufficient hydrophobicity can also insert vertically as transmembrane monomers, and many associate further into membrane-spanning helical bundles. Indeed, some peptides progress through each of these stages in the process of forming oligomeric bundles. In each case, the structure of the peptide and the membrane represent a delicate balance between peptide-membrane and peptide-peptide interactions. We will review this literature from the perspective of several biologically important systems, including antimicrobial peptides and their mimics, α-synuclein, receptor tyrosine kinases, and ion channels. We also discuss the use of de novo design to construct models to test our understanding of the underlying principles and to provide useful leads for pharmaceutical intervention of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huong T Kratochvil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Robert W Newberry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Bruk Mensa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Marco Mravic
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - William F DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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5
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Pal S, Koeppe RE, Chattopadhyay A. Membrane electrostatics sensed by tryptophan anchors in hydrophobic model peptides depends on non-aromatic interfacial amino acids: implications in hydrophobic mismatch. Faraday Discuss 2021; 232:330-346. [PMID: 34549729 DOI: 10.1039/d0fd00065e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
WALPs are synthetic α-helical membrane-spanning peptides that constitute a well-studied system for exploring hydrophobic mismatch. These peptides represent a simplified consensus motif for transmembrane domains of intrinsic membrane proteins due to their hydrophobic core of alternating leucine and alanine flanked by membrane-anchoring aromatic tryptophan residues. Although the modulation of mismatch responses in WALPs by tryptophan anchors has been reported earlier, there have been limited attempts to utilize the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of this class of peptides in mismatch sensors. We have previously shown, utilizing the red edge excitation shift (REES) approach, that interfacial WALP tryptophan residues in fluid phase bilayers experience a dynamically constrained membrane microenvironment. Interestingly, emerging reports suggest the involvement of non-aromatic interfacially localized residues in modulating local structure and dynamics in WALP analogs. In this backdrop, we have explored the effect of interfacial amino acids, such as lysine (in KWALPs) and glycine (in GWALPs), on the tryptophan microenvironment of WALP analogs in zwitterionic and negatively charged membranes. We show that interfacial tryptophans in KWALP and GWALP experience a more restricted microenvironment, as reflected in the substantial increase in magnitude of REES and apparent rotational correlation time, relative to those in WALP in zwitterionic membranes. Interestingly, in contrast to WALP, the tryptophan anchors in KWALP and GWALP appear insensitive to the presence of negatively charged lipids in the membrane. These results reveal a subtle interplay between non-aromatic flanking residues in transmembrane helices and negatively charged lipids at the membrane interface, which could modulate the membrane microenvironment experienced by interfacially localized tryptophan residues. Since interfacial tryptophans are known to influence mismatch responses in WALPs, our results highlight the possibility of utilizing the fluorescence signatures of tryptophans in membrane proteins or model peptides such as WALP as markers for assessing protein responses to hydrophobic mismatch. More importantly, these results constitute one of the first reports on the influence of lipid headgroup charge in fine-tuning hydrophobic mismatch in membrane bilayers, thereby enriching the existing framework of hydrophobic mismatch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreetama Pal
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500 007, India. .,CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500 007, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201 002, India
| | - Roger E Koeppe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, AR 72701, USA
| | - Amitabha Chattopadhyay
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500 007, India. .,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201 002, India
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6
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Price JR, Afrose F, Greathouse DV, Koeppe RE. Illuminating Disorder Induced by Glu in a Stable Arg-Anchored Transmembrane Helix. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:20611-20618. [PMID: 34396006 PMCID: PMC8359125 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c02800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins are vital for biological function and are complex to study. Even in model peptide-lipid systems, the combined influence or interaction of pairs of chemical groups still is not well understood. Disordered proteins, whether in solution or near lipid membranes, are an emerging paradigm for the initiation and control of biological function. The disorder can involve molecular orientation as well as molecular folding. This paper reports an astonishing induction of disorder when one Glu residue is introduced into a highly stable 23-residue transmembrane helix. The parent helix is anchored by a single Arg residue, tilted at a well-defined angle with respect to the DOPC bilayer normal and undergoes rapid cone precession. When Glu is introduced two residues away from Arg, with 200° (or 160°) radial separation, the helix properties change radically to exhibit a multiplicity of three or more disordered states. The helix characteristics have been monitored by deuterium (2H) NMR spectroscopy as functions of the pH and lipid bilayer composition. The disordered multistate behavior of the (Glu, Arg)-containing helix varies with the lipid bilayer thickness and pH. The results highlight a fundamental induction of protein multistate properties by a single Glu residue in a lipid membrane environment.
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7
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Kim M, Son J, Kim Y. Structural and Mechanismic Studies of Lactophoricin Analog, Novel Antibacterial Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073734. [PMID: 33918526 PMCID: PMC8038340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally derived antibacterial peptides exhibit excellent pharmacological action without the risk of resistance, suggesting a potential role as biologicals. Lactophoricin-I (LPcin-I), found in the proteose peptone component-3 (PP3; lactophorin) of bovine milk, is known to exhibit antibiotic activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Accordingly, we derived a new antibacterial peptide and investigated its structure–function relationship. This study was initiated by designing antibacterial peptide analogs with better antibacterial activity, less cytotoxicity, and shorter amino acid sequences based on LPcin-I. The structural properties of antibacterial peptide analogs were investigated via spectroscopic analysis, and the antibacterial activity was confirmed by measurement of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The structure and mechanism of the antibacterial peptide analog in the cell membrane were also studied via solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Through 15N one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR experiments and 31P NMR experiments, we suggest the 3D morphology and antibacterial mechanism in the phospholipid bilayer of the LPcin analog. This study is expected to establish a system for the development of novel antibacterial peptides and to establish a theoretical basis for research into antibiotic substitutes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yongae Kim
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-330-4604; Fax: +82-31-330-4566
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8
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McKay M, Marr KA, Price JR, Greathouse DV, Koeppe RE. Lipid-Dependent Titration of Glutamic Acid at a Bilayer Membrane Interface. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:8488-8494. [PMID: 33817510 PMCID: PMC8015139 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The ionization properties of protein side chains in lipid-bilayer membranes will differ from the canonical values of side chains exposed to an aqueous solution. While the propensities of positively charged side chains of His, Lys, and Arg to release a proton in lipid membranes have been rather well characterized, the propensity for a negatively charged Glu side chain to receive a proton and achieve the neutral state in a bilayer membrane has been less well characterized. Indeed, the ionization of the glutamic acid side chain has been predicted to depend on its depth of burial in a lipid membrane but has been difficult to verify experimentally. To address the issue, we incorporated an interfacial Glu residue at position 4 of a distinct 23-residue transmembrane helix and used 2H NMR to examine the helix properties as a function of pH. We observe that the helix tilt and azimuthal rotation vary little with pH, but the extent of helix unraveling near residues 3 and 4 changes as the Glu residue E4 titrates. Remarkably, the 2H quadrupolar splitting for the side chain of alanine A3 responds to pH with an apparent pK a of 4.8 in 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC) and 6.3 in 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), but is unchanged up to pH 8.0 in 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) in the presence of residue E4. With bilayers composed of alkali-stable ether-linked lipids, the side chain of A3 responds to pH with an apparent pK a of 11.0 in the ether analogue of DOPC. These results suggest that the depth dependence of Glu ionization in lipid-bilayer membranes may be steeper than previously predicted or envisioned.
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9
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Identification of a pocket factor that is critical to Zika virus assembly. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4953. [PMID: 33009400 PMCID: PMC7532219 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18747-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito borne flavivirus and a major public health concern causing severe disease. Due to the presence of a lipid membrane and structural heterogeneity, attaining an atomic resolution structure is challenging, but important to understand virus assembly and life cycle mechanisms that offer distinct targets for therapeutic intervention. We here use subvolume refinement to achieve a 3.4 Å resolution structure and identify two distinct lipid moieties. The first arises from the inner leaflet and is coordinated by hydrophobic residues of the M and E transmembrane helices that form a binding pocket not previously characterized. The second lipid arises from the outer leaflet coordinate between two E protein helices. Structure-based mutagenesis identifies critical hydrophobic interactions and their effect on the virus life cycle. Results show that lipids play an essential role in the ZIKV assembly pathway revealing a potential target of lipid based antiviral drug development. Here, the authors provide a 3.4 Å resolution structure of mature Zika virus (ZIKV) and identify two lipid moieties, coordinated by hydrophobic residues of the M and E transmembrane helices and between two helices of E protein, that play an essential role in the ZIKV assembly pathway.
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10
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McKay MJ, Greathouse DV, Koeppe RE. Flanking aromatic residue competition influences transmembrane peptide helix dynamics. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:4280-4291. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. McKay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Arkansas Fayetteville AR USA
| | - Denise V. Greathouse
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Arkansas Fayetteville AR USA
| | - Roger E. Koeppe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Arkansas Fayetteville AR USA
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11
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Abstract
Tryptophan (TRP), an essential amino acid in mammals, is involved in several physiological processes including neuronal function, immunity, and gut homeostasis. In humans, TRP is metabolized via the kynurenine and serotonin pathways, leading to the generation of biologically active compounds, such as serotonin, melatonin and niacin. In addition to endogenous TRP metabolism, resident gut microbiota also contributes to the production of specific TRP metabolites and indirectly influences host physiology. The variety of physiologic functions regulated by TRP reflects the complex pattern of diseases associated with altered homeostasis. Indeed, an imbalance in the synthesis of TRP metabolites has been associated with pathophysiologic mechanisms occurring in neurologic and psychiatric disorders, in chronic immune activation and in the immune escape of cancer. In this chapter, the role of TRP metabolism in health and disease is presented. Disorders involving the central nervous system, malignancy, inflammatory bowel and cardiovascular disease are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Comai
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Antonella Bertazzo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Martina Brughera
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Crotti
- Institute of Paediatric Research-Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy.
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12
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McKay MJ, Fu R, Greathouse DV, Koeppe RE. Breaking the Backbone: Central Arginine Residues Induce Membrane Exit and Helix Distortions within a Dynamic Membrane Peptide. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:8034-8047. [PMID: 31483653 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b06034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Transmembrane domains of membrane proteins sometimes contain conserved charged or ionizable residues which may be essential for protein function and regulation. This work examines the molecular interactions of single Arg residues within a highly dynamic transmembrane peptide helix. To this end, we have modified the GW4,20ALP23 (acetyl-GGAW4(AL)7AW20AGA-amide) model peptide framework to incorporate Arg residues near the center of the peptide. Peptide helix formation, orientation and dynamics were analyzed by means of solid-state NMR spectroscopy to monitor specific 2H- or 15N-labeled residues. GW4,20ALP23 itself adopts a tilted orientation within lipid bilayer membranes. Nevertheless, the GW4,20ALP23 helix exhibits moderate to high dynamic averaging of NMR observables, such as 2H quadrupolar splittings or 15N-1H dipolar couplings, due to competition between the interfacial Trp residues on opposing helix faces. Here we examine how the helix dynamics are impacted by the introduction of a single Arg residue at position 12 or 14. Residue R14 restricts the helix to low dynamic averaging and a well-defined tilt that varies inversely with the lipid bilayer thickness. To compensate for the dominance of R14, the competing Trp residues cause partial unwinding of the helix at the C-terminal. By contrast, R12GW4,20ALP23 exits the DOPC bilayer to an interfacial surface-bound location. Interestingly, multiple orientations are exhibited by a single residue, Ala-9. Quadrupolar splittings generated by 2H-labeled residues A3, A5, A7, and A9 do not fit to the α-helical quadrupolar wave plot defined by residues A11, A13, A15, A17, A19, and A21. The discontinuity at residue A9 implicates a helical swivel distortion and an apparent 310-helix involving the N-terminal residues preceding A11. These molecular features suggest that, while arginine residues are prominent factors controlling transmembrane helix dynamics, the influence of interfacial tryptophan residues cannot be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J McKay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arkansas , Fayetteville , Arkansas 72701 , United States
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University , Tallahassee , Florida 32310 , United States
| | - Denise V Greathouse
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arkansas , Fayetteville , Arkansas 72701 , United States
| | - Roger E Koeppe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arkansas , Fayetteville , Arkansas 72701 , United States
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13
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Afrose F, McKay MJ, Mortazavi A, Suresh Kumar V, Greathouse DV, Koeppe RE. Transmembrane Helix Integrity versus Fraying To Expose Hydrogen Bonds at a Membrane-Water Interface. Biochemistry 2019; 58:633-645. [PMID: 30565458 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Transmembrane helices dominate the landscape for many membrane proteins. Often flanked by interfacial aromatic residues, these transmembrane helices also contain loops and interhelix segments, which could help in stabilizing a transmembrane orientation. Using 2H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to monitor bilayer-incorporated model GWALP23 family peptides, we address systematically the issue of helix fraying in relation to the dynamics and orientation of highly similar individual transmembrane helices. We inserted aromatic (Phe, Trp, Tyr, and His) or non-aromatic residues (Ala and Gly) into positions 4 and 5 adjacent to a core transmembrane helix to examine the side-chain dependency of the transmembrane orientation, dynamics, and helix integrity (extent and location of unraveling). Incorporation of [2H]alanine labels enables one to assess the helicity of the core sequence and the peptide termini. For most of the helices, we observed substantial unwinding involving at least three residues at both ends. For the unique case of histidine at positions 4 and 5, an extended N-terminal unwinding was observed up to residue 7. For further investigation of the onset of fraying, we employed A4,5GWALP23 with 2H labels at residues 4 and 5 and found that the number of terminal residues involved in the unwinding depends on bilayer thicknesses and helps to govern the helix dynamics. The combined results enable us to compare and contrast the extent of fraying for each related helix, as reflected by the deviation of experimental 2H quadrupolar splitting magnitudes of juxta-terminal alanines A3 and A21 from those represented by an ideal helix geometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahmida Afrose
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arkansas , Fayetteville , Arkansas 72701 , United States
| | - Matthew J McKay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arkansas , Fayetteville , Arkansas 72701 , United States
| | - Armin Mortazavi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arkansas , Fayetteville , Arkansas 72701 , United States
| | - Vasupradha Suresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arkansas , Fayetteville , Arkansas 72701 , United States
| | - Denise V Greathouse
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arkansas , Fayetteville , Arkansas 72701 , United States
| | - Roger E Koeppe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arkansas , Fayetteville , Arkansas 72701 , United States
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