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Naneh O, Kozorog M, Merzel F, Gilbert R, Anderluh G. Surface plasmon resonance and microscale thermophoresis approaches for determining the affinity of perforin for calcium ions. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1181020. [PMID: 37545534 PMCID: PMC10400287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1181020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Perforin is a pore-forming protein that plays a crucial role in the immune system by clearing virus-infected or tumor cells. It is released from cytotoxic granules of immune cells and forms pores in targeted lipid membranes to deliver apoptosis-inducing granzymes. It is a very cytotoxic protein and is therefore adapted not to act in producing cells. Its activity is regulated by the requirement for calcium ions for optimal activity. However, the exact affinity of perforin for calcium ions has not yet been determined. We conducted a molecular dynamics simulation in the absence or presence of calcium ions that showed that binding of at least three calcium ions is required for stable perforin binding to the lipid membrane. Biophysical studies using surface plasmon resonance and microscale thermophoresis were then performed to estimate the binding affinities of native human and recombinant mouse perforin for calcium ions. Both approaches showed that mouse perforin has a several fold higher affinity for calcium ions than that of human perforin. This was attributed to a particular residue, tryptophan at position 488 in mouse perforin, which is replaced by arginine in human perforin. This represents an additional mechanism to control the activity of human perforin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Naneh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mirijam Kozorog
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Franci Merzel
- Theory Department, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Gilbert
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Fu X, Chen Y, Wang L, Zhou Q, Li M, Song Y, Li Y, Zhao F, Chen S. Identification and functional analysis of the perforin-1 like gene in disease resistance in half smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 122:104135. [PMID: 34004267 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The pore-forming protein perforin is one of the effectors of cell-mediated killing via the granule exocytosis pathway. In this study, a genome-wide association study was conducted in Vibrio harveyi disease-resistant and disease-susceptible families of half smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) to determine the genes accounting for host resistance, and a perforin homologue was identified, designated perforin-1 like (CsPRF1l). The full-length cDNA of CsPRF1l is 1835 bp, and encodes 514 amino acids. The CsPRF1l gene consists of 10 exons and 9 introns, spanning approximately 7 kb. The amino acid sequence of CsPRF1l shows 60.35, 54.03, 41.92, and 34.17% identities to Morone saxatilis PRF1l, Oryzias melastigma PRF1l, Danio rerio PRF1.5 and Homo sapiens PRF, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of membrane attack complex/perforin (MACPF) and C2 domains in CsPRF1l. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that CsPRF1l presented a higher intestinal expression level in disease-resistant families than in susceptible families. Tissue expression pattern analysis showed that CsPRF1l is present in most of the tested tissues and highly expressed in the intestine, brain, stomach and gills. After challenge with V. harveyi, CsPRF1l mRNA was markedly upregulated in the liver, spleen, kidney, intestine, gills and skin. In addition, the recombinant CsPRF1l protein exhibited obvious antimicrobial activity against V. harveyi in vitro and in a zebrafish model. Collectively, these data indicate that CsPRF1l modulates host immune defense against V. harveyi invasion and provide clues about the efficacy of rCsPRF1l in fish that will give rise to useful therapeutic applications for V. harveyi infection in C. semilaevis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Fu
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081, China; Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Ming Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yu Song
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yangzhen Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Fazhen Zhao
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081, China; Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Songlin Chen
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081, China; Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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Novak M, Čepin U, Hodnik V, Narat M, Jamnik M, Kraševec N, Sepčić K, Anderluh G. Functional studies of aegerolysin and MACPF-like proteins in Aspergillus niger. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:1253-1269. [PMID: 31376198 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Proteins of the aegerolysin family have a high abundance in Fungi. Due to their specific binding to membrane lipids, and their membrane-permeabilization potential in concert with protein partner(s) belonging to a membrane-attack-complex/perforin (MACPF) superfamily, they were proposed as useful tools in different biotechnological and biomedical applications. In this work, we performed functional studies on expression of the genes encoding aegerolysin and MACPF-like proteins in Aspergillus niger. Our results suggest the sporulation process being crucial for strong induction of the expression of all these genes. However, deletion of either of the aegerolysin genes did not influence the growth, development, sporulation efficiency and phenotype of the mutants, indicating that aegerolysins are not key factors in the sporulation process. In all our expression studies we noticed a strong correlation in the expression of one aegerolysin and MACPF-like gene. Aegerolysins were confirmed to be secreted from the fungus. We also showed the specific interaction of a recombinant A. niger aegerolysin with an invertebrate-specific membrane sphingolipid. Moreover, using this protein labelled with mCherry we successfully stained insect cells membranes containing this particular sphingolipid. Our combined results suggest, that aegerolysins in this species, and probably also in other aspergilli, could be involved in defence against predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urška Čepin
- BioSistemika Ltd and National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Narat
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Jamnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nada Kraševec
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Song F, Cui L, Piao J, Liang H, Si H, Duan Y, Zhai H. Quantitative structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies on designing inhibitors of the perforin. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 90:535-544. [PMID: 28296049 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies were performed on a series of 5-arylidene-2thioxoimidazolidin-4-ones derivatives as the inhibitors of perforin and to gain insights about the structural determinants for designing new drug molecules. The heuristic method could explore the descriptors responsible for bioactivity and gain a best linear model with R2 .82. Gene expression programming method generated a novel nonlinear function model with R2 .92 for training set and R2 .85 for test set. The predicted IC50 by QSAR, molecular docking analysis, and property explorer applet show that 42a acts as a well-pleasing potent inhibitor for perforin. This study may lay a reliable theoretical foundation for the development of designing perforin inhibitor structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fucheng Song
- Department of Public Health, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lianhua Cui
- Department of Public Health, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jinmei Piao
- Department of Public Health, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Liang
- Department of Public Health, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Hongzong Si
- Institute for Computational Science and Engineering, Laboratory of New Fibrous Materials and Modern Textile, The Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yunbo Duan
- Institute for Computational Science and Engineering, Laboratory of New Fibrous Materials and Modern Textile, The Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Honglin Zhai
- Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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