1
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Tat TT, Raza S, Khan S, Watson TL, Jung SY, Kiss DL. PCIF1 is partly cytoplasmic, dynamically localizes to stress granules and binds mRNA coding regions upon oxidative stress. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.08.593175. [PMID: 38766247 PMCID: PMC11100685 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.08.593175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
PCIF1 (Phosphorylated CTD-Interacting Factor 1) is the mRNA (2'-O-methyladenosine-N(6)-)-methyltransferase that catalyzes the formation of cap-adjacent N6,2'-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am) by methylating adenosines at the first transcribed position of capped mRNAs. While previous studies assumed that PCIF1 was nuclear, cell fractionation and immunofluorescence both show that a population of PCIF1 is localized to the cytoplasm. Further, PCIF1 redistributes to stress granules upon oxidative stress. Immunoprecipitation studies with stressed cells show that PCIF1 also physically interacts with G3BP and other stress granule components. In addition, PCIF1 behaves as a stress granule component as it disassociates from stress granules upon recovery from stress. Overexpressing full-length PCIF1 also inhibits stress granule formation, while knocking out PCIF1 slows stress granule disassembly. Next, our enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (eCLIP) data show that PCIF1 binds mRNAs in their coding sequences rather than cap-proximal regions. Further PCIF1's association with mRNAs increased upon NaAsO2 stress. In contrast to eCLIP data, ChIP-Seq experiments show that PCIF1 is predominantly associated with transcription start sites rather than gene bodies, indicating that PCIF1's association with mature mRNA is not co-transcriptional. Collectively, our data suggest that PCIF1 has cytoplasmic RNA surveillance role(s) independent of transcription-associated cap-adjacent mRNA modification, particularly during the stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trinh T. Tat
- Center for RNA Therapeutics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Sabeen Raza
- Technology Operations, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Shaheerah Khan
- Center for RNA Therapeutics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Tiara L. Watson
- Center for RNA Therapeutics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Sung Yun Jung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Daniel L. Kiss
- Center for RNA Therapeutics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Weil Cornell Medical College, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030 USA
- Houston Methodist Cancer Center, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030 USA
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030 USA
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2
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Liu Y, Goebel GL, Kanis L, Hastürk O, Kemker C, Wu P. Aminothiazolone Inhibitors Disrupt the Protein-RNA Interaction of METTL16 and Modulate the m 6A RNA Modification. JACS AU 2024; 4:1436-1449. [PMID: 38665670 PMCID: PMC11040665 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Targeting RNA-binding and modifying proteins via small molecules to modulate post-transcriptional modifications have emerged as a new frontier for chemical biology and therapeutic research. One such RNA-binding protein that regulates the most prevalent eukaryotic RNA modification, N6-methyladenosine (m6A), is the methyltransferase-like protein 16 (METTL16), which plays an oncogenic role in cancers by cofunctioning with other nucleic acid-binding proteins. To date, no potent small-molecule inhibitor of METTL16 or modulator interfering with the METTL16-RNA interaction has been reported and validated, highlighting the unmet need to develop such small molecules to investigate the METTL16-involved regulatory network. Herein, we described the identification of a series of first-in-class aminothiazolone METTL16 inhibitors via a discovery pipeline that started with a fluorescence-polarization (FP)-based screening. Structural optimization of the initial hit yielded inhibitors, such as compound 45, that showed potent single-digit micromolar inhibition activity against the METTL16-RNA binding. The identified aminothiazolone inhibitors can be useful probes to elucidate the biological function of METTL16 upon perturbation and evaluate the therapeutic potential of METTL16 inhibition via small molecules at the post-transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Georg L. Goebel
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Laurin Kanis
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Oguz Hastürk
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Claus Kemker
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Peng Wu
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany
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3
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Höfler S, Duss O. Interconnections between m 6A RNA modification, RNA structure, and protein-RNA complex assembly. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302240. [PMID: 37935465 PMCID: PMC10629537 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-RNA complexes exist in many forms within the cell, from stable machines such as the ribosome to transient assemblies like the spliceosome. All protein-RNA assemblies rely on spatially and temporally coordinated interactions between specific proteins and RNAs to achieve a functional form. RNA folding and structure are often critical for successful protein binding and protein-RNA complex formation. RNA modifications change the chemical nature of a given RNA and often alter its folding kinetics. Both these alterations can affect how and if proteins or other RNAs can interact with the modified RNA and assemble into complexes. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common base modification on mRNAs and regulatory noncoding RNAs and has been shown to impact RNA structure and directly modulate protein-RNA interactions. In this review, focusing on the mechanisms and available quantitative information, we discuss first how the METTL3/14 m6A writer complex is specifically targeted to RNA assisted by protein-RNA and other interactions to enable site-specific and co-transcriptional RNA modification and, once introduced, how the m6A modification affects RNA folding and protein-RNA interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Höfler
- https://ror.org/03mstc592 Structural and Computational Biology Unit, EMBL Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olivier Duss
- https://ror.org/03mstc592 Structural and Computational Biology Unit, EMBL Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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4
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Breger K, Kunkler CN, O'Leary NJ, Hulewicz JP, Brown JA. Ghost authors revealed: The structure and function of human N 6 -methyladenosine RNA methyltransferases. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 15:e1810. [PMID: 37674370 PMCID: PMC10915109 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the discovery of modified nucleic acids nearly 75 years ago, their biological functions are still being elucidated. N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) is the most abundant modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and has also been detected in non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNA, ribosomal RNA, and small nuclear RNA. In general, m6 A marks can alter RNA secondary structure and initiate unique RNA-protein interactions that can alter splicing, mRNA turnover, and translation, just to name a few. Although m6 A marks in human RNAs have been known to exist since 1974, the structures and functions of methyltransferases responsible for writing m6 A marks have been established only recently. Thus far, there are four confirmed human methyltransferases that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the N6 position of adenosine, producing m6 A: methyltransferase-like protein (METTL) 3/METTL14 complex, METTL16, METTL5, and zinc-finger CCHC-domain-containing protein 4. Though the methyltransferases have unique RNA targets, all human m6 A RNA methyltransferases contain a Rossmann fold with a conserved SAM-binding pocket, suggesting that they utilize a similar catalytic mechanism for methyl transfer. For each of the human m6 A RNA methyltransferases, we present the biological functions and links to human disease, RNA targets, catalytic and kinetic mechanisms, and macromolecular structures. We also discuss m6 A marks in human viruses and parasites, assigning m6 A marks in the transcriptome to specific methyltransferases, small molecules targeting m6 A methyltransferases, and the enzymes responsible for hypermodified m6 A marks and their biological functions in humans. Understanding m6 A methyltransferases is a critical steppingstone toward establishing the m6 A epitranscriptome and more broadly the RNome. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtis Breger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Charlotte N Kunkler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Nathan J O'Leary
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jacob P Hulewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jessica A Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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5
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Zhou J, Horton JR, Kaur G, Chen Q, Li X, Mendoza F, Wu T, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Biochemical and structural characterization of the first-discovered metazoan DNA cytosine-N4 methyltransferase from the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105017. [PMID: 37414145 PMCID: PMC10406627 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105017] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Much is known about the generation, removal, and roles of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in eukaryote DNA, and there is a growing body of evidence regarding N6-methyladenine, but very little is known about N4-methylcytosine (4mC) in the DNA of eukaryotes. The gene for the first metazoan DNA methyltransferase generating 4mC (N4CMT) was reported and characterized recently by others, in tiny freshwater invertebrates called bdelloid rotifers. Bdelloid rotifers are ancient, apparently asexual animals, and lack canonical 5mC DNA methyltransferases. Here, we characterize the kinetic properties and structural features of the catalytic domain of the N4CMT protein from the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga. We find that N4CMT generates high-level methylation at preferred sites, (a/c)CG(t/c/a), and low-level methylation at disfavored sites, exemplified by ACGG. Like the mammalian de novo 5mC DNA methyltransferase 3A/3B (DNMT3A/3B), N4CMT methylates CpG dinucleotides on both DNA strands, generating hemimethylated intermediates and eventually fully methylated CpG sites, particularly in the context of favored symmetric sites. In addition, like DNMT3A/3B, N4CMT methylates non-CpG sites, mainly CpA/TpG, though at a lower rate. Both N4CMT and DNMT3A/3B even prefer similar CpG-flanking sequences. Structurally, the catalytic domain of N4CMT closely resembles the Caulobacter crescentus cell cycle-regulated DNA methyltransferase. The symmetric methylation of CpG, and similarity to a cell cycle-regulated DNA methyltransferase, together suggest that N4CMT might also carry out DNA synthesis-dependent methylation following DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jujun Zhou
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gundeep Kaur
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xuwen Li
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fabian Mendoza
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tao Wu
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA.
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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6
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Zhou J, Deng Y, Iyamu ID, Horton JR, Yu D, Hajian T, Vedadi M, Rotili D, Mai A, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Huang R, Cheng X. Comparative Study of Adenosine Analogs as Inhibitors of Protein Arginine Methyltransferases and a Clostridioides difficile-Specific DNA Adenine Methyltransferase. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:734-745. [PMID: 37082867 PMCID: PMC10127221 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
S-Adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) analogs are adaptable tools for studying and therapeutically inhibiting SAM-dependent methyltransferases (MTases). Some MTases play significant roles in host-pathogen interactions, one of which is Clostridioides difficile-specific DNA adenine MTase (CamA). CamA is needed for efficient sporulation and alters persistence in the colon. To discover potent and selective CamA inhibitors, we explored modifications of the solvent-exposed edge of the SAM adenosine moiety. Starting from the two parental compounds (6e and 7), we designed an adenosine analog (11a) carrying a 3-phenylpropyl moiety at the adenine N6-amino group, and a 3-(cyclohexylmethyl guanidine)-ethyl moiety at the sulfur atom off the ribose ring. Compound 11a (IC50 = 0.15 μM) is 10× and 5× more potent against CamA than 6e and 7, respectively. The structure of the CamA-DNA-inhibitor complex revealed that 11a adopts a U-shaped conformation, with the two branches folded toward each other, and the aliphatic and aromatic rings at the two ends interacting with one another. 11a occupies the entire hydrophobic surface (apparently unique to CamA) next to the adenosine binding site. Our work presents a hybrid knowledge-based and fragment-based approach to generating CamA inhibitors that would be chemical agents to examine the mechanism(s) of action and therapeutic potentials of CamA in C. difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jujun Zhou
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Youchao Deng
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute for Drug
Discovery, Center for Cancer Research, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Iredia D. Iyamu
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute for Drug
Discovery, Center for Cancer Research, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - John R. Horton
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Dan Yu
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Taraneh Hajian
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department
of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza
University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department
of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza
University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute,
Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University
of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Robert M. Blumenthal
- Department
of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life
Sciences, Toledo, Ohio 43614, United States
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Rong Huang
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute for Drug
Discovery, Center for Cancer Research, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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7
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Ju J, Aoyama T, Yashiro Y, Yamashita S, Kuroyanagi H, Tomita K. Structure of the Caenorhabditis elegans m6A methyltransferase METT10 that regulates SAM homeostasis. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:2434-2446. [PMID: 36794723 PMCID: PMC10018337 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In Caenorhabditis elegans, the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification by METT10, at the 3'-splice sites in S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) synthetase (sams) precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA), inhibits sams pre-mRNA splicing, promotes alternative splicing coupled with nonsense-mediated decay of the pre-mRNAs, and thereby maintains the cellular SAM level. Here, we present structural and functional analyses of C. elegans METT10. The structure of the N-terminal methyltransferase domain of METT10 is homologous to that of human METTL16, which installs the m6A modification in the 3'-UTR hairpins of methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT2A) pre-mRNA and regulates the MAT2A pre-mRNA splicing/stability and SAM homeostasis. Our biochemical analysis suggested that C. elegans METT10 recognizes the specific structural features of RNA surrounding the 3'-splice sites of sams pre-mRNAs, and shares a similar substrate RNA recognition mechanism with human METTL16. C. elegans METT10 also possesses a previously unrecognized functional C-terminal RNA-binding domain, kinase associated 1 (KA-1), which corresponds to the vertebrate-conserved region (VCR) of human METTL16. As in human METTL16, the KA-1 domain of C. elegans METT10 facilitates the m6A modification of the 3'-splice sites of sams pre-mRNAs. These results suggest the well-conserved mechanisms for the m6A modification of substrate RNAs between Homo sapiens and C. elegans, despite their different regulation mechanisms for SAM homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jue Ju
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Aoyama
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Yuka Yashiro
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Seisuke Yamashita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Hidehito Kuroyanagi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0125, Japan
| | - Kozo Tomita
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +81 471 36 3611; Fax: +81 471 36 3611;
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8
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Ye Y, Liu M, Wu F, Ou S, Wang W, Fei J, Xie F, Bai L. TRMT6 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:48. [PMID: 36707905 PMCID: PMC9881333 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00951-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common and deadly cancers. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of tRNA methyltransferase 6 (TRMT6) during HCC progression. METHODS The role of TRMT6 in the progression and prognosis of HCC was confirmed by analysis of online databases and clinical human samples. The effects of up-regulation or down-regulation of TRMT6 on HCC cell proliferation and PI3K/AKT pathway-related protein expressions were verified. The molecular mechanism was investigated in vivo by constructing subcutaneous xenograft tumor model. RESULTS TRMT6 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and associated with Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage, primary tumor (T) and regional lymph node (N) classification. TRMT6 expressions in HCC cell lines were higher than that in normal liver cell. TRMT6 overexpression can promote HCC cell proliferation, increase the number of S phase cells. Interference with TRMT6 reduced the PI3K/AKT pathway-related protein expressions, and was reversed by the addition of IGF1. Interference with TRMT6 inhibited tumor growth in vivo and was related to PI3K/AKT pathway. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of TRMT6 promote HCC cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro through PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, which provides a potential choice for the treatment of HCC in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqing Ye
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China ,grid.452437.3Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000 Jiangxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Maosheng Liu
- grid.452437.3Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000 Jiangxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Fengfei Wu
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Shiyu Ou
- grid.460075.0Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, 545005 Guangxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Weidong Wang
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Jieying Fei
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Fang Xie
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Lan Bai
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
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9
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Muthmann N, Albers M, Rentmeister A. CAPturAM, a Chemo-Enzymatic Strategy for Selective Enrichment and Detection of Physiological CAPAM-Targets. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202211957. [PMID: 36282111 PMCID: PMC10107118 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202211957] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Modified nucleotides impact all aspects of eukaryotic mRNAs and contribute to regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional and translational level. At the 5' cap, adenosine as first transcribed nucleotide is often N6 -methyl-2'-O-methyl adenosine (m6 Am ). This modification is tissue dependent and reversible, pointing to a regulatory function. CAPAM was recently identified as methyltransferase responsible for m6 Am formation, however, the direct assignment of its target transcripts proves difficult. Antibodies do not discriminate between internal N6 -methyl adenosine (m6 A) and m6 Am . Here we present CAPturAM, an antibody-free chemical biology approach for direct enrichment and probing of physiological CAPAM-targets. We harness CAPAM's cosubstrate promiscuity to install propargyl groups on its targets. Subsequent functionalization with an affinity handle allows for their enrichment. Using wildtype and CAPAM-/- cells, we successfully applied CAPturAM to confirm or disprove CAPAM-targets, facilitating the verification and identification of CAPAM targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Muthmann
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of BiochemistryUniversity of MünsterCorrensstrasse 3648149MünsterGermany
| | - Marvin Albers
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of BiochemistryUniversity of MünsterCorrensstrasse 3648149MünsterGermany
| | - Andrea Rentmeister
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of BiochemistryUniversity of MünsterCorrensstrasse 3648149MünsterGermany
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10
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Zhou J, Horton JR, Menna M, Fiorentino F, Ren R, Yu D, Hajian T, Vedadi M, Mazzoccanti G, Ciogli A, Weinhold E, Hüben M, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Mai A, Rotili D, Cheng X. Systematic Design of Adenosine Analogs as Inhibitors of a Clostridioides difficile-Specific DNA Adenine Methyltransferase Required for Normal Sporulation and Persistence. J Med Chem 2023; 66:934-950. [PMID: 36581322 PMCID: PMC9841527 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Antivirulence agents targeting endospore-transmitted Clostridioides difficile infections are urgently needed. C. difficile-specific DNA adenine methyltransferase (CamA) is required for efficient sporulation and affects persistence in the colon. The active site of CamA is conserved and closely resembles those of hundreds of related S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases, which makes the design of selective inhibitors more challenging. We explored the solvent-exposed edge of the SAM adenosine moiety and systematically designed 42 analogs of adenosine carrying substituents at the C6-amino group (N6) of adenosine. We compare the inhibitory properties and binding affinity of these diverse compounds and present the crystal structures of CamA in complex with 14 of them in the presence of substrate DNA. The most potent of these inhibitors, compound 39 (IC50 ∼ 0.4 μM and KD ∼ 0.2 μM), is selective for CamA against closely related bacterial and mammalian DNA and RNA adenine methyltransferases, protein lysine and arginine methyltransferases, and human adenosine receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jujun Zhou
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - John R. Horton
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Martina Menna
- Department
of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza
University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Fiorentino
- Department
of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza
University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ren Ren
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Dan Yu
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Taraneh Hajian
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Giulia Mazzoccanti
- Department
of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza
University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciogli
- Department
of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza
University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Elmar Weinhold
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, D-52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Hüben
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, D-52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert M. Blumenthal
- Department
of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life
Sciences, Toledo, Ohio 43614, United States
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department
of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza
University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Pasteur
Institute, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department
of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza
University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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11
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Abstract
Methyltransferase-like protein 16 (METTL16) is one of four catalytically active, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent m6A RNA methyltransferases in humans. Well-known methylation targets of METTL16 are U6 small nuclear RNA (U6 snRNA) and the MAT2A mRNA hairpins; however, METTL16 binds to other RNAs, including the 3' triple helix of the metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1). Herein, we investigated the kinetic mechanism and biochemical properties of METTL16. METTL16 is a monomer in complex with either the MALAT1 triple helix or U6 snRNA and binds to these RNAs with respective dissociation constants of 31 nM and 18 nM, whereas binding to the methylated U6 snRNA product is 1.1 μM. The MALAT1 triple helix, on the other hand, is not methylated by METTL16 under in vitro conditions. Using the U6 snRNA to study methylation steps, preincubation and isotope partitioning assays indicated an ordered-sequential mechanism, whereby METTL16 binds U6 snRNA before SAM. The apparent dissociation constant for the METTL16·U6 snRNA·SAM ternary complex is 126 μM. Steady-state kinetic assays established a kcat of 0.07 min-1, and single-turnover assays established a kchem of 0.56 min-1. Furthermore, the methyltransferase domain of METTL16 methylated U6 snRNA with an apparent dissociation constant of 736 μM and a kchem of 0.42 min-1, suggesting that the missing vertebrate conserved regions weaken the ternary complex but do not induce any rate-limiting conformational rearrangements of the U6 snRNA. This study helps us to better understand the catalytic activity of METTL16 in the context of its biological functions.
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12
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Wang L, Gu J, Zhao W, Wang M, Ng KR, Lyu X, Yang R. Reshaping the Binding Pocket of Cellobiose 2-Epimerase for Improved Substrate Affinity and Isomerization Activity for Enabling Green Synthesis of Lactulose. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:15879-15893. [PMID: 36475670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c06980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Enzymatic isomerization of lactose into lactulose via cellobiose 2-epimerase (CE) could provide an eco-friendly route for the industrial production of lactulose, a valuable food prebiotic. However, poor substrate affinity for lactose and preference for epimerization over isomerization hinder this application. Previous studies on CE improvement have focused on random mutagenesis or active site rational design; little is known about the relationship between substrate binding and enzyme efficacy, which was hence the subject of this study. First, residues 372W and 308W were identified as key for disaccharide recognition in CEs based on crystal structure alignment of the N-acetyl-glucosamine 2-epimerase superfamily and site-directed mutation. This binding domain was then reshaped through site saturation mutagenesis, resulting in seven mutants with enhanced isomerization activity. The optimal mutant CsCE/Q371E had significantly enhanced substrate affinity (Km, 269.65 mM vs Km, 417.5 mM), reduced epimerization activity, and 3.3-fold increased isomerization activity over the original CsCE. Molecular dynamics simulation further revealed that substituting Gln-371 with Glu strengthened the hydrogen-bonding network and altered the active site-substrate interactions, increasing the substrate stability and shifting the catalytic direction. This study uncovered new information about the substrate binding region and its mechanisms and impact on CE catalytic performance, paving the way for potential commercial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jiali Gu
- College of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Mingming Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Kuan Rei Ng
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459, Singapore
| | - Xiaomei Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Ruijin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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13
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Pullulan-stabilized gold nanoparticles tablet as a nanozyme sensor for point-of-care applications. SENSING AND BIO-SENSING RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2022.100526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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14
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Yu D, Zhou J, Chen Q, Wu T, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Enzymatic Characterization of In Vitro Activity of RNA Methyltransferase PCIF1 on DNA. Biochemistry 2022; 61:1005-1013. [PMID: 35605980 PMCID: PMC9178792 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PCIF1 and FTO are a pair of human mRNA cap-specific modification enzymes that have opposing activities. PCIF1 adds a methyl group to the N6-position of 2'O-methyladenosine (Am), generating N6, 2'O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am), when Am is the cap-proximal nucleotide. FTO removes the N6-methyl group from m6Am. In addition, FTO has a demethylase activity on a broad spectrum of various RNA substrates, as well as on DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (m6dA). While the existence of m6dA in mammalian DNA remains controversial, we show here that PCIF1 has significant methylation activity on single stranded DNA deoxyadenosine, double stranded RNA/DNA hybrids, and double stranded DNA, though with lower catalytic efficiency than that on its preferred RNA substrate. PCIF1 has activities in the order ssRNA > RNA/DNA hybrid > ssDNA > dsDNA. We discuss the implications of PCIF1 generation, and FTO removal, of DNA adenine methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yu
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Jujun Zhou
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Qin Chen
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Tao Wu
- Department
of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor
College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Robert M. Blumenthal
- Department
of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life
Sciences, Toledo, Ohio 43614, United States
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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15
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Sweeney P, Galliford A, Kumar A, Raju D, Krishna NB, Sutherland E, Leo CJ, Fisher G, Lalitha R, Muthuraj L, Sigamani G, Oehler V, Synowsky S, Shirran SL, Gloster TM, Czekster CM, Kumar P, da Silva RG. Structure, dynamics, and molecular inhibition of the Staphylococcus aureus m 1A22-tRNA methyltransferase TrmK. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102040. [PMID: 35595101 PMCID: PMC9190014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The enzyme m1A22-tRNA methyltransferase (TrmK) catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group to the N1 of adenine 22 in bacterial tRNAs. TrmK is essential for Staphylococcus aureus survival during infection but has no homolog in mammals, making it a promising target for antibiotic development. Here, we characterize the structure and function of S. aureus TrmK (SaTrmK) using X-ray crystallography, binding assays, and molecular dynamics simulations. We report crystal structures for the SaTrmK apoenzyme as well as in complexes with methyl donor SAM and co-product product SAH. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that SAM binds to the enzyme with favorable but modest enthalpic and entropic contributions, whereas SAH binding leads to an entropic penalty compensated for by a large favorable enthalpic contribution. Molecular dynamics simulations point to specific motions of the C-terminal domain being altered by SAM binding, which might have implications for tRNA recruitment. In addition, activity assays for SaTrmK-catalyzed methylation of A22 mutants of tRNALeu demonstrate that the adenine at position 22 is absolutely essential. In silico screening of compounds suggested the multifunctional organic toxin plumbagin as a potential inhibitor of TrmK, which was confirmed by activity measurements. Furthermore, LC-MS data indicated the protein was covalently modified by one equivalent of the inhibitor, and proteolytic digestion coupled with LC-MS identified Cys92 in the vicinity of the SAM-binding site as the sole residue modified. These results identify a cryptic binding pocket of SaTrmK, laying a foundation for future structure-based drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Sweeney
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Ashleigh Galliford
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | | | - Dinesh Raju
- Kcat Enzymatic Private Limited, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Emmajay Sutherland
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Caitlin J Leo
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Gemma Fisher
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | | | | | | | - Verena Oehler
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Silvia Synowsky
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Sally L Shirran
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Tracey M Gloster
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Clarissa M Czekster
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Pravin Kumar
- Kcat Enzymatic Private Limited, Bangalore, India.
| | - Rafael G da Silva
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK.
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16
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Yu D, Dai N, Wolf EJ, Corrêa IR, Zhou J, Wu T, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Enzymatic characterization of mRNA cap adenosine-N6 methyltransferase PCIF1 activity on uncapped RNAs. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101751. [PMID: 35189146 PMCID: PMC8931429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The phosphorylated RNA polymerase II CTD interacting factor 1 (PCIF1) is a methyltransferase that adds a methyl group to the N6-position of 2′O-methyladenosine (Am), generating N6, 2′O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am) when Am is the cap-proximal nucleotide. In addition, PCIF1 has ancillary methylation activities on internal adenosines (both A and Am), although with much lower catalytic efficiency relative to that of its preferred cap substrate. The PCIF1 preference for 2′O-methylated Am over unmodified A nucleosides is due mainly to increased binding affinity for Am. Importantly, it was recently reported that PCIF1 can methylate viral RNA. Although some viral RNA can be translated in the absence of a cap, it is unclear what roles PCIF1 modifications may play in the functionality of viral RNAs. Here we show, using in vitro assays of binding and methyltransfer, that PCIF1 binds an uncapped 5′-Am oligonucleotide with approximately the same affinity as that of a cap analog (KM = 0.4 versus 0.3 μM). In addition, PCIF1 methylates the uncapped 5′-Am with activity decreased by only fivefold to sixfold compared with its preferred capped substrate. We finally discuss the relationship between PCIF1-catalyzed RNA methylation, shown here to have broader substrate specificity than previously appreciated, and that of the RNA demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), which demonstrates PCIF1-opposing activities on capped RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nan Dai
- New England Biolabs, Inc, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric J Wolf
- New England Biolabs, Inc, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ivan R Corrêa
- New England Biolabs, Inc, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jujun Zhou
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tao Wu
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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17
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Lei K, Lin S, Yuan Q. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs): Critical roles in mRNA translation and diseases. Genes Dis 2021; 10:126-134. [PMID: 37013049 PMCID: PMC10066336 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As key components of the ribosome and the most abundant RNA species, the rRNAs are modified during ribosome formation. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a conserved RNA modification occurring on different RNA species including rRNAs. Recently, it has been reported that ZCCHC4 and METTL5 are methyltransferases that mediate m6A modification of human 28S and 18S rRNA, respectively. The newly discovered biological functions of the two methyltransferases include regulation of mRNA translation, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, stress response, and other biological processes. Both of them, especially METTL5, have been proved to be associated with a variety of diseases such as intellectual disability, cancer, congenital dysplasia and have potential clinical application as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Shuibin Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Corresponding author. State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
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18
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Zhou J, Horton JR, Yu D, Ren R, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Repurposing epigenetic inhibitors to target the Clostridioides difficile-specific DNA adenine methyltransferase and sporulation regulator CamA. Epigenetics 2021; 17:970-981. [PMID: 34523387 PMCID: PMC9487755 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1976910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetically targeted therapeutic development, particularly for SAM-dependent methylations of DNA, mRNA and histones has been proceeding rapidly for cancer treatments over the past few years. However, this approach has barely begun to be exploited for developing new antibiotics, despite an overwhelming global need to counter antimicrobial resistance. Here, we explore whether SAM analogues, some of which are in (pre)clinical studies as inhibitors of human epigenetic enzymes, can also inhibit Clostridioides difficile-specific DNA adenine methyltransferase (CamA), a sporulation regulator present in all C. difficile genomes sequenced to date, but found in almost no other bacteria. We found that SGC0946 (an inhibitor of DOT1L), JNJ-64619178 (an inhibitor of PRMT5) and SGC8158 (an inhibitor of PRMT7) inhibit CamA enzymatic activity in vitro at low micromolar concentrations. Structural investigation of the ternary complexes of CamA-DNA in the presence of SGC0946 or SGC8158 revealed conformational rearrangements of the N-terminal arm, with no apparent disturbance of the active site. This N-terminal arm and its modulation of exchanges between SAM (the methyl donor) and SAH (the reaction product) during catalysis of methyl transfer are, to date, unique to CamA. Our work presents a substantial first step in generating potent and selective inhibitors of CamA that would serve in the near term as chemical probes to investigate the cellular mechanism(s) of CamA in controlling spore formation and colonization, and eventually as therapeutic antivirulence agents useful in treating C. difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jujun Zhou
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dan Yu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ren Ren
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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19
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Chen D, Meng Y, Yu D, Noinaj N, Cheng X, Huang R. Chemoproteomic Study Uncovers HemK2/KMT9 As a New Target for NTMT1 Bisubstrate Inhibitors. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1234-1242. [PMID: 34192867 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the selectivity of methyltransferase inhibitors is important to dissecting the functions of each methyltransferase target. From this perspective, we report a chemoproteomic study to profile the selectivity of a potent protein N-terminal methyltransferase 1 (NTMT1) bisubstrate inhibitor NAH-C3-GPKK (Ki, app = 7 ± 1 nM) in endogenous proteomes. First, we describe the rational design, synthesis, and biochemical characterization of a new chemical probe 6, a biotinylated analogue of NAH-C3-GPKK. Next, we systematically analyze protein networks that may selectively interact with the biotinylated probe 6 in concert with the competitor NAH-C3-GPKK. Besides NTMT1, the designated NTMT1 bisubstrate inhibitor NAH-C3-GPKK was found to also potently inhibit a methyltransferase complex HemK2-Trm112 (also known as KMT9-Trm112), highlighting the importance of systematic selectivity profiling. Furthermore, this is the first potent inhibitor for HemK2/KMT9 reported until now. Thus, our studies lay the foundation for future efforts to develop selective inhibitors for either methyltransferase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxing Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Ying Meng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Dan Yu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Nicholas Noinaj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Markey Center for Structural Biology, and the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Rong Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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20
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Zhou J, Horton JR, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Clostridioides difficile specific DNA adenine methyltransferase CamA squeezes and flips adenine out of DNA helix. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3436. [PMID: 34103525 PMCID: PMC8187626 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23693-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infections are an urgent medical problem. The newly discovered C. difficile adenine methyltransferase A (CamA) is specified by all C. difficile genomes sequenced to date (>300), but is rare among other bacteria. CamA is an orphan methyltransferase, unassociated with a restriction endonuclease. CamA-mediated methylation at CAAAAA is required for normal sporulation, biofilm formation, and intestinal colonization by C. difficile. We characterized CamA kinetic parameters, and determined its structure bound to DNA containing the recognition sequence. CamA contains an N-terminal domain for catalyzing methyl transfer, and a C-terminal DNA recognition domain. Major and minor groove DNA contacts in the recognition site involve base-specific hydrogen bonds, van der Waals contacts and the Watson-Crick pairing of a rearranged A:T base pair. These provide sufficient sequence discrimination to ensure high specificity. Finally, the surprisingly weak binding of the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) might provide avenues for inhibiting CamA activity using SAM analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jujun Zhou
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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