DEEPN as an Approach for Batch Processing of Yeast 2-Hybrid Interactions

Powdery mildew effectors AVRA1 and BEC1016 target the ER J-domain protein HvERdj3B required for immunity in barley

The barley powdery mildew fungus, Blumeria hordei (Bh), secretes hundreds of candidate secreted effector proteins (CSEPs) to facilitate pathogen infection and colonization. One of these, CSEP0008, is directly recognized by the barley nucleotide-binding leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) receptor MLA1 and therefore is designated AVRA1. Here, we show that AVRA1 and the sequence-unrelated Bh effector BEC1016 (CSEP0491) suppress immunity in barley. We used yeast two-hybrid next-generation interaction screens (Y2H-NGIS), followed by binary Y2H and in planta protein-protein interactions studies, and identified a common barley target of AVRA1 and BEC1016, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized J-domain protein HvERdj3B. Silencing of this ER quality control (ERQC) protein increased Bh penetration. HvERdj3B is ER luminal, and we showed using split GFP that AVRA1 and BEC1016 translocate into the ER signal peptide-independently. Overexpression of the two effectors impeded trafficking of a vacuolar marker through the ER; silencing of HvERdj3B also exhibited this same cellular phenotype, coinciding with the effectors targeting this ERQC component. Together, these results suggest that the barley innate immunity, preventing Bh entry into epidermal cells, requires ERQC. Here, the J-domain protein HvERdj3B appears to be essential and can be regulated by AVRA1 and BEC1016. Plant disease resistance often occurs upon direct or indirect recognition of pathogen effectors by host NLR receptors. Previous work has shown that AVRA1 is directly recognized in the cytosol by the immune receptor MLA1. We speculate that the AVRA1 J-domain target being inside the ER, where it is inapproachable by NLRs, has forced the plant to evolve this challenging direct recognition.

Bioinformatic Analysis of Yeast Two-Hybrid Next-Generation Interaction Screen Data

Yeast two-hybrid next-generation interaction screening (Y2H-NGIS) uses the output of next-generation sequencing to mine for novel protein-protein interactions. Here, we outline the analytics underlying Y2H-NGIS datasets. Different systems, libraries, and experimental designs comprise Y2H-NGIS methodologies. We summarize the analysis in several layers that comprise the characterization of baits and preys, quantification, and identification of true interactions for subsequent secondary validation. We present two software designed for this purpose, NGPINT and Y2H-SCORES, which are used as front-end and back-end tools in the analysis. Y2H-SCORES software can be used and adapted to analyze different datasets not only from Y2H-NGIS but from other techniques ruled by similar biological principles.

Dynamic Enrichment for Evaluation of Protein Networks (DEEPN): A High Throughput Yeast Two-Hybrid (Y2H) Protocol to Evaluate Networks

Proteins are the building blocks of life, and a vast array of cellular processes is handled by protein-protein interactions (PPIs). The protein complexes formed via PPIs lead to tangled networks that, with their continuous remodeling, build up systematic functional units. Over the years, PPIs have become an area of interest for many researchers, leading to the development of multiple in vitro and in vivo methods to reveal these interactions. The yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) system is a potent genetic way to map PPIs in both a micro- and high-throughput manner. Y2H is a technique that involves using modified yeast cells to identify protein-protein interactions. For Y2H, the yeast cells are engineered only to grow when there is a significant interaction between a specific protein with its interacting partner. PPIs are identified in the Y2H system by stimulating reporter genes in response to a restored transcription factor. However, Y2H results may be constrained by stringency requirements, as the limited number of colony screenings through this technique could result in the possible elimination of numerous genuine interactions. Therefore, DEEPN (dynamic enrichment for evaluation of protein networks) can be used, offering the potential to study the multiple static and transient protein interactions in a single Y2H experiment. DEEPN utilizes next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) data in a high-throughput manner and subsequently applies computational analysis and statistical modeling to identify interacting partners. This protocol describes customized reagents and protocols through which DEEPN analysis can be utilized efficiently and cost-effectively.

Next-Generation Yeast Two-Hybrid Screening to Discover Protein-Protein Interactions

Yeast two-hybrid is a powerful approach to discover new protein-protein interactions. Traditional methods involve screening a target protein against a cDNA expression library and assaying individual positive colonies to identify interacting partners. Here we describe a simple approach to perform yeast two-hybrid screens of a cDNA expression library in batch liquid culture. Positive yeast cell populations are enriched under selection and then harvested en masse. Prey cDNAs are amplified and used as input for next-generation sequencing libraries for identification, quantification, and ranking.

ANTH domains within CALM, HIP1R, and Sla2 recognize ubiquitin internalization signals

Attachment of ubiquitin (Ub) to cell surface proteins serves as a signal for internalization via clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). How ubiquitinated membrane proteins engage the internalization apparatus remains unclear. The internalization apparatus contains proteins such as Epsin and Eps15, which bind Ub, potentially acting as adaptors for Ub-based internalization signals. Here, we show that additional components of the endocytic machinery including CALM, HIP1R, and Sla2 bind Ub via their N-terminal ANTH domain, a domain belonging to the superfamily of ENTH and VHS domains. Structural studies revealed that Ub binds with µM affinity to a unique C-terminal region within the ANTH domain not found in ENTH domains. Functional studies showed that combined loss of Ub-binding by ANTH-domain proteins and other Ub-binding domains within the yeast internalization apparatus caused defects in the Ub-dependent internalization of the GPCR Ste2 that was engineered to rely exclusively on Ub as an internalization signal. In contrast, these mutations had no effect on the internalization of Ste2 engineered to use an alternate Ub-independent internalization signal. These studies define new components of the internalization machinery that work collectively with Epsin and Eps15 to specify recognition of Ub as an internalization signal.

Interactions of ubiquitin and CHMP5 with the V domain of HD-PTP reveals role for regulation of Vps4 ATPase

The family of Bro1 proteins coordinates the activity of the Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport (ESCRTs) to mediate a number of membrane remodeling events. These events culminate in membrane scission catalyzed by ESCRT-III, whose polymerization and disassembly is controlled by the AAA-ATPase, Vps4. Bro1-family members Alix and HD-PTP as well as yeast Bro1 have central “V” domains that noncovalently bind Ub and connect ubiquitinated proteins to ESCRT-driven functions such as the incorporation of ubiquitinated membrane proteins into intralumenal vesicles of multivesicular bodies. Recently, it was discovered that the V domain of yeast Bro1 binds the MIT domain of Vps4 to stimulate its ATPase activity. Here we determine the structural basis for how the V domain of human HD-PTP binds ubiquitin. The HD-PTP V domain also binds the MIT domain of Vps4, and ubiquitin binding to the HD-PTP V domain enhances its ability to stimulate Vps4 ATPase activity. Additionally, we found that V domains of both HD-PTP and Bro1 bind CHMP5 and Vps60, respectively, providing another potential molecular mechanism to alter Vps4 activity. These data support a model whereby contacts between ubiquitin, ESCRT-III, and Vps4 by V domains of the Bro1 family may coordinate late events in ESCRT-driven membrane remodeling events.

Newer Methods Drive Recent Insights into Rab GTPase Biology: An Overview

The conserved Ypt/Rab GTPases regulate all major intracellular protein traffic pathways, including secretion, endocytosis and autophagy. These GTPases undergo distinct changes in conformation between their GTP- and GDP-bound forms and cycle between the cytoplasm and membranes with the aid of their upstream regulators. When activated on the membrane in the GTP-bound form, they recruit their downstream effectors, which include components of vesicular transport. Progress in the past 5 years regarding mechanisms of Rab action, functions, and the effects of disruption of these functions on the well-being of cells and organisms has been propelled by advances in methodologies in molecular and cellular biology. Here, we highlight methods used recently to analyze regulation, localization, interactions, and function of Rab GTPases and their roles in human disease. We discuss contributions of these methods to new insights into Rabs, as well as their future use in addressing open questions in the field of Rab biology.

Next-generation yeast-two-hybrid analysis with Y2H-SCORES identifies novel interactors of the MLA immune receptor

Protein-protein interaction networks are one of the most effective representations of cellular behavior. In order to build these models, high-throughput techniques are required. Next-generation interaction screening (NGIS) protocols that combine yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) with deep sequencing are promising approaches to generate interactome networks in any organism. However, challenges remain to mining reliable information from these screens and thus, limit its broader implementation. Here, we present a computational framework, designated Y2H-SCORES, for analyzing high-throughput Y2H screens. Y2H-SCORES considers key aspects of NGIS experimental design and important characteristics of the resulting data that distinguish it from RNA-seq expression datasets. Three quantitative ranking scores were implemented to identify interacting partners, comprising: 1) significant enrichment under selection for positive interactions, 2) degree of interaction specificity among multi-bait comparisons, and 3) selection of in-frame interactors. Using simulation and an empirical dataset, we provide a quantitative assessment to predict interacting partners under a wide range of experimental scenarios, facilitating independent confirmation by one-to-one bait-prey tests. Simulation of Y2H-NGIS enabled us to identify conditions that maximize detection of true interactors, which can be achieved with protocols such as prey library normalization, maintenance of larger culture volumes and replication of experimental treatments. Y2H-SCORES can be implemented in different yeast-based interaction screenings, with an equivalent or superior performance than existing methods. Proof-of-concept was demonstrated by discovery and validation of novel interactions between the barley nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptor MLA6, and fourteen proteins, including those that function in signaling, transcriptional regulation, and intracellular trafficking.

Deconvolution of Multiple Rab Binding Domains Using the Batch Yeast 2-Hybrid Method DEEPN

A hallmark of functionally significant interactions between Rab proteins and their targets is whether that binding depends on the type of nucleotide bound to the Rab GTPase. A system that can directly compare those sets of interactions mediated by a Rab in its GTP-bound conformation versus its GDP bound conformation would provide a direct route to finding biologically relevant partners. Comprehensive large-scale yeast 2-hybrid assays allow a potential method to compare one interactome against another provided that the same set of potentially interacting partners is interrogated between samples. Here we describe the use of such a yeast 2-hybrid system that lends itself toward comparing pairs of Rab mutants, locked in either their GTP or GDP conformation. Importantly, using a complex library of protein fragments as potential binding ("prey") partners, identification of interacting proteins as well as the domain(s) mediating those interactions can be determined using a series of sequence analyses and binary validation experiments.

NGPINT: a next-generation protein-protein interaction software

Mapping protein-protein interactions at a proteome scale is critical to understanding how cellular signaling networks respond to stimuli. Since eukaryotic genomes encode thousands of proteins, testing their interactions one-by-one is a challenging prospect. High-throughput yeast-two hybrid (Y2H) assays that employ next-generation sequencing to interrogate complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries represent an alternative approach that optimizes scale, cost and effort. We present NGPINT, a robust and scalable software to identify all putative interactors of a protein using Y2H in batch culture. NGPINT combines diverse tools to align sequence reads to target genomes, reconstruct prey fragments and compute gene enrichment under reporter selection. Central to this pipeline is the identification of fusion reads containing sequences derived from both the Y2H expression plasmid and the cDNA of interest. To reduce false positives, these fusion reads are evaluated as to whether the cDNA fragment forms an in-frame translational fusion with the Y2H transcription factor. NGPINT successfully recognized 95% of interactions in simulated test runs. As proof of concept, NGPINT was tested using published data sets and it recognized all validated interactions. NGPINT can process interaction data from any biosystem with an available genome or transcriptome reference, thus facilitating the discovery of protein-protein interactions in model and non-model organisms.

Synaptotagmin 17 controls neurite outgrowth and synaptic physiology via distinct cellular pathways

The synaptotagmin (syt) proteins have been widely studied for their role in regulating fusion of intracellular vesicles with the plasma membrane. Here we report that syt-17, an unusual isoform of unknown function, plays no role in exocytosis, and instead plays multiple roles in intracellular membrane trafficking. Syt-17 is localized to the Golgi complex in hippocampal neurons, where it coordinates import of vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum to support neurite outgrowth and facilitate axon regrowth after injury. Further, we discovered a second pool of syt-17 on early endosomes in neurites. Loss of syt-17 disrupts endocytic trafficking, resulting in the accumulation of excess postsynaptic AMPA receptors and defective synaptic plasticity. Two distinct pools of syt-17 thus control two crucial, independent membrane trafficking pathways in neurons. Function of syt-17 appears to be one mechanism by which neurons have specialized their secretory and endosomal systems to support the demands of synaptic communication over sprawling neurite arbors.

The functional role of synaptotagmin-17 (syt-17) has remained unanswered. In this study, authors demonstrate that syt-17 exists in two distinct pools in hippocampal neurons (Golgi complex and early endosomes), where it served two completely independent functions: controlling neurite outgrowth and synaptic physiology

MALTA: a calculator for estimating the coverage with shRNA, CRISPR, and cDNA libraries

Genetic screens using shRNA, CRISPR, or cDNA libraries rely on adequately transferring the library into cells for further assay. These libraries can have many different elements and each element can be present at different copy numbers within a given pooled library. Calculating how many recipient cells are needed to adequately sample all or most of the different elements within a library is important, especially if one wants to compare the outcomes of different genetic screens that rely on accurately reproducing the starting population of library-containing cells. Here we present a simple application that starts with a list of library elements and their abundance and calculates the minimum sampling number to achieve full transfer of the library to an acceptor cell population to a user-specified level of probability. Users can adjust several input parameters including designating a subpopulation over which the calculation is made. Finally, the program performs a series of Monte Carlo simulations of a user-specified number of picks to produce an empirically determined distribution of each library element.

Informatic Analysis of Sequence Data from Batch Yeast 2-Hybrid Screens

We have adapted the yeast 2-hybrid assay to simultaneously uncover dozens of transient and static protein interactions within a single screen utilizing high-throughput short-read DNA sequencing. The resulting sequence datasets can not only track what genes in a population that are enriched during selection for positive yeast 2-hybrid interactions, but also give detailed information about the relevant subdomains of proteins sufficient for interaction. Here, we describe a full suite of stand-alone software programs that allow non-experts to perform all the bioinformatics and statistical steps to process and analyze DNA sequence fastq files from a batch yeast 2-hybrid assay. The processing steps covered by these software include: 1) mapping and counting sequence reads corresponding to each candidate protein encoded within a yeast 2-hybrid prey library; 2) a statistical analysis program that evaluates the enrichment profiles; and 3) tools to examine the translational frame and position within the coding region of each enriched plasmid that encodes the interacting proteins of interest.

A Yeast 2-Hybrid Screen in Batch to Compare Protein Interactions

Screening for protein-protein interactions using the yeast 2-hybrid assay has long been an effective tool, but its use has largely been limited to the discovery of high-affinity interactors that are highly enriched in the library of interacting candidates. In a traditional format, the yeast 2-hybrid assay can yield too many colonies to analyze when conducted at low stringency where low affinity interactors might be found. Moreover, without a comprehensive and complete interrogation of the same library against different bait plasmids, a comparative analysis cannot be achieved. Although some of these problems can be addressed using arrayed prey libraries, the cost and infrastructure required to operate such screens can be prohibitive. As an alternative, we have adapted the yeast 2-hybrid assay to simultaneously uncover dozens of transient and static protein interactions within a single screen utilizing a strategy termed DEEPN (Dynamic Enrichment for Evaluation of Protein Networks), which incorporates high-throughput DNA sequencing and computation to follow the evolution of a population of plasmids that encode interacting partners. Here, we describe customized reagents and protocols that allow a DEEPN screen to be executed easily and cost-effectively.