Yeast-based assays for detecting protein-protein/drug interactions and their inhibitors

Yeast Heterologous Expression Systems for the Study of Plant Membrane Proteins

Researchers are often interested in proteins that are present in cells in small ratios compared to the total amount of proteins. These proteins include transcription factors, hormones and specific membrane proteins. However, sufficient amounts of well-purified protein preparations are required for functional and structural studies of these proteins, including the creation of artificial proteoliposomes and the growth of protein 2D and 3D crystals. This aim can be achieved by the expression of the target protein in a heterologous system. This review describes the applications of yeast heterologous expression systems in studies of plant membrane proteins. An initial brief description introduces the widely used heterologous expression systems of the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. S. cerevisiae is further considered a convenient model system for functional studies of heterologously expressed proteins, while P. pastoris has the advantage of using these yeast cells as factories for producing large quantities of proteins of interest. The application of both expression systems is described for functional and structural studies of membrane proteins from plants, namely, K⁺- and Na⁺-transporters, various ATPases and anion transporters, and other transport proteins.

Proteomic applications in identifying protein-protein interactions

There are many things that can be used to characterize a protein. Size, isoelectric point, hydrophobicity, structure (primary to quaternary), and subcellular location are just a few parameters that are used. The most important feature of a protein, however, is its function. While there are many experiments that can indicate a protein's role, identifying the molecules it interacts with is probably the most definitive way of determining its function. Owing to technology limitations, protein interactions have historically been identified on a one molecule per experiment basis. The advent of high throughput multiplexed proteomic technologies in the 1990s, however, made identifying hundreds and thousands of proteins interactions within single experiments feasible. These proteomic technologies have dramatically increased the rate at which protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are discovered. While the improvement in mass spectrometry technology was an early driving force in the rapid pace of identifying PPIs, advances in sample preparation and chromatography have recently been propelling the field. In this chapter, we will discuss the importance of identifying PPIs and describe current state-of-the-art technologies that demonstrate what is currently possible in this important area of biological research.

SARS-CoV-2 SUD2 and Nsp5 Conspire to Boost Apoptosis of Respiratory Epithelial Cells via an Augmented Interaction with the G-Quadruplex of BclII

The molecular mechanisms underlying how SUD2 recruits other proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to exert its G-quadruplex (G4)-dependent pathogenic function is unknown. Herein, Nsp5 was singled out as a binding partner of the SUD2-N+M domains (SUD2core) with high affinity, through the surface located crossing these two domains. Biochemical and fluorescent assays demonstrated that this complex also formed in the nucleus of living host cells. Moreover, the SUD2core-Nsp5 complex displayed significantly enhanced selective binding affinity for the G4 structure in the BclII promoter than did SUD2core alone. This increased stability exhibited by the tertiary complex was rationalized by AlphaFold2 and molecular dynamics analysis. In line with these molecular interactions, downregulation of BclII and subsequent augmented apoptosis of respiratory cells were both observed. These results provide novel information and a new avenue to explore therapeutic strategies targeting SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE SUD2, a unique protein domain closely related to the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, has been reported to bind with the G-quadruplex (G4), a special noncanonical DNA structure endowed with important functions in regulating gene expression. However, the interacting partner of SUD2, among other SARS-CoV-2 Nsps, and the resulting functional consequences remain unknown. Here, a stable complex formed between SUD2 and Nsp5 was fully characterized both in vitro and in host cells. Moreover, this complex had a significantly enhanced binding affinity specifically targeting the Bcl2G4 in the promoter region of the antiapoptotic gene BclII, compared with SUD2 alone. In respiratory epithelial cells, the SUD2-Nsp5 complex promoted BclII-mediated apoptosis in a G4-dependent manner. These results reveal fresh information about matched multicomponent interactions, which can be parlayed to develop new therapeutics for future relevant viral disease.

A split protease-E. coli ClpXP system quantifies protein-protein interactions in Escherichia coli cells

Characterizing protein–protein interactions (PPIs) is an effective method to help explore protein function. Here, through integrating a newly identified split human Rhinovirus 3 C (HRV 3 C) protease, super-folder GFP (sfGFP), and ClpXP-SsrA protein degradation machinery, we developed a fluorescence-assisted single-cell methodology (split protease-E. coli ClpXP (SPEC)) to explore protein–protein interactions for both eukaryotic and prokaryotic species in E. coli cells. We firstly identified a highly efficient split HRV 3 C protease with high re-assembly ability and then incorporated it into the SPEC method. The SPEC method could convert the cellular protein-protein interaction to quantitative fluorescence signals through a split HRV 3 C protease-mediated proteolytic reaction with high efficiency and broad temperature adaptability. Using SPEC method, we explored the interactions among effectors of representative type I-E and I-F CRISPR/Cas complexes, which combining with subsequent studies of Cas3 mutations conferred further understanding of the functions and structures of CRISPR/Cas complexes.

Wang et al. developed a fluorescence-assisted single-cell methodology (split protease-E. coli ClpXP (SPEC)) to characterise protein-protein interactions for both eukaryotic and prokaryotic species in E. coli cells. Their method can quantify these interactions with high sensitivity, easy manipulation, and broad temperature adaptability

Identification of novel interactions between host and non-structural protein 2C of foot-and-mouth disease virus

The 2C protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is reported to play a critical role in the virus replication complex and modulating the host's immune response. However, the underlying molecular intricacies of subversion of cellular machinery remains poorly understood, thus emphasizing the need to study 2C-host interactions. In this study, we identified the host proteins interacting with the 2C using yeast-two hybrid (Y2H) approach, which is one of the most recognized, high-throughput tools to study protein-protein interactions. The FMDV-2C bait was characterized for auto-activation, toxicity, and expression and was found to be suitable for mating with cDNA library. On preliminary screening a total of 32 interacting host proteins were identified which were reduced to 22 on subsequent confirmation with alternative yeast based assays. Amongst these, NMI/2C interaction has been reported earlier by Wang et al. (2012) and remaining 21 are novel interactions. The Reactome analysis has revealed the role of the identified host proteins in cellular pathways exploited by 2C during FMDV replication. We also confirmed interaction of MARCH7, an E3 ubiquitin ligase with 2C using mammalian two-hybrid system and co-immunoprecipitation. This study leads to the identification of novel 2C interacting host proteins which enhance our understanding of 2C-host interface and may provide checkpoints for development of potential therapeutics against FMDV.

Biomedical applications of yeasts - a patent view, part two: era of humanized yeasts and expanded applications

INTRODUCTION

Yeast humanization, ranging from a simple point mutation to substitution of yeast gene(s) or even a complete pathway by human counterparts has enormously expanded yeast biomedical applications.

AREAS COVERED

General and patent-oriented insights into the application of native and humanized yeasts for production of human glycoproteins (gps) and antibodies (Abs), toxicity/mutagenicity assays, treatments of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and potential drug delivery as a probiotic (with emphasis on Saccharomyces bulardii) and studies on human diseases/cancers and screening effective drugs.

EXPERT OPINION

Humanized yeasts cover the classical advantageous features of a 'microbial eukaryote' together with advanced human cellular processes. These unique characteristics would permit their use in the production of functional and stable therapeutic gps and Abs in lower prices compared to mammalian (CHO) production-based systems. Availability of yeasts humanized for cytochrome P450 s will expand their application in metabolism-related chemical toxicity assays. Engineered S. bulardii for expression of human proteins might expand its application by synergistically combining the probiotic activity with the treatment of metabolic diseases such as phenylketonuria via GI-delivery. Yeast models of human diseases will facilitate rapid functional/phenotypic characterization of the disease-producing mutant genes and screening of the therapeutic compounds using yeast-based high-throughput research techniques (Yeast one/two hybrid systems) and viability assays.

The specific binding of a new 1,2,3-triazole to three blood proteins and it's appended rhodamine complex for selective detection of Hg2

A synthesized compound, ethyl 2,5-diphenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4- carboxylate (EDTC) was investigated on its physiochemical parameters and structural properties by using the quantum-chemical method. The results on the theoretical spectrum of EDTC were line with experimental fluorescence and absorption spectrum in large degree. Then EDTC was successfully synthesized to a novel rhodamine-based fluorescent probe (REDTC), which showed a distinct fluorescence enhancement upon the presence of Hg²⁺ in dimethyl formamide-water (DMF-H₂O) buffer solution (pH 7.4). Meanwhile, the triazole appended colorless compound turns to pink upon complex formation with Hg²⁺ ions as 1:2 molar ratios and enables naked-eye detection. The chromogenic mechanism was determined by using spectroscopic measurements and TD DFT calculation. The fluorescence imaging experiments of Hg²⁺ in HeLa cell revealed that the probe REDTC could be labeled and it could be used in biological systems. Also, the intermediate EDTC was developed as a sensitive fluorescent probe for specific studies on the interactions to three kinds of blood proteins including human serum albumin (HSA), human immunoglobulin (HIg) and bovine hemoglobin (BHb) by using a series of spectroscopic methods and molecular docking under the simulative physiological conditions. The interactions between EDTC and these proteins led to the distinct fluorescence enhancement. The thermodynamic measured results further suggested that hydrophobic forces play a dominating role in stabilizing the complexes, which are in correspondence with the results from molecular docking. The UV-visible, synchronous, and three-dimensional (3D) fluorescence measurements demonstrated that EDTC influences the conformational of proteins and the microenvironment surrounding HSA, HIg, or BHb in aqueous solution.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a Tool to Investigate Plant Potassium and Sodium Transporters

Sodium and potassium are two alkali cations abundant in the biosphere. Potassium is essential for plants and its concentration must be maintained at approximately 150 mM in the plant cell cytoplasm including under circumstances where its concentration is much lower in soil. On the other hand, sodium must be extruded from the plant or accumulated either in the vacuole or in specific plant structures. Maintaining a high intracellular K+/Na+ ratio under adverse environmental conditions or in the presence of salt is essential to maintain cellular homeostasis and to avoid toxicity. The baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been used to identify and characterize participants in potassium and sodium homeostasis in plants for many years. Its utility resides in the fact that the electric gradient across the membrane and the vacuoles is similar to plants. Most plant proteins can be expressed in yeast and are functional in this unicellular model system, which allows for productive structure-function studies for ion transporting proteins. Moreover, yeast can also be used as a high-throughput platform for the identification of genes that confer stress tolerance and for the study of protein-protein interactions. In this review, we summarize advances regarding potassium and sodium transport that have been discovered using the yeast model system, the state-of-the-art of the available techniques and the future directions and opportunities in this field.

2C-BioID: An Advanced Two Component BioID System for Precision Mapping of Protein Interactomes

The modulation of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is an essential regulatory activity defining diverse cell functions in development and disease. BioID is an unbiased proximity-dependent biotinylation method making use of a biotin-protein ligase fused to a protein of interest and has become an important tool for mapping of PPIs within cellular contexts. We devised an advanced method, 2C-BioID, in which the biotin-protein ligase is kept separate from the protein of interest, until the two are induced to associate by the addition of a dimerizing agent. As proof of principle, we compared the interactomes of lamina-associated polypeptide 2β (LAP2β) with those of lamins A and C, using 2C- and conventional BioID. 2C-BioID greatly enhanced data robustness by facilitating the in silico elimination of non-specific interactors as well as overcoming the problems associated with aberrant protein localization. 2C-BioID therefore significantly strengthens the specificity and reliability of BioID-based interactome analysis, by the more stringent exclusion of false-positives and more efficient intracellular targeting.