1
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Morimoto D, Walinda E. A fast and simple automated multi-step protein purification method for ÄKTA go systems. Protein Expr Purif 2024; 223:106560. [PMID: 39094813 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2024.106560] [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: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Automation of protein purification methods can increase researchers' efficiency in life sciences. However, currently reported automated protein purification methods require cost-intensive fast protein liquid chromatography systems, such as ÄKTA pure and ÄKTA explorer, without any reported application to the more cost-efficient entry-level system, ÄKTA go. To fill this gap, here we propose a fast, efficient, and versatile automated protein purification strategy for the ÄKTA go. Straightforward integration of two additional accessories, a column valve and a sample loop, into the default ÄKTA go system and making minor rearrangements of flow lines, enabled automation of multi-step protein purification processes. Utilizing this established system, we demonstrate the automated purification of three distinct types of proteins: ubiquitin, polyhistidine-tagged talin, and GST-tagged human rhinovirus 14 3C protease. The described automation strategy is suitable even for small budget-conscious laboratories operating on ÄKTA go systems, thus reducing researchers' time and efforts spent on routine sample preparation tasks of their investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daichi Morimoto
- Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto-Daigaku Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8510, Japan.
| | - Erik Walinda
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku Yoshida Konoe-cho, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
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2
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Elaswad MT, Gao M, Tice VE, Bright CG, Thomas GM, Munderloh C, Trombley NJ, Haddad CN, Johnson UG, Cichon AN, Schisa JA. The CCT chaperonin and actin modulate the ER and RNA-binding protein condensation during oogenesis and maintain translational repression of maternal mRNA and oocyte quality. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar131. [PMID: 39167497 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e24-05-0216] [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] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The regulation of maternal mRNAs is essential for proper oogenesis, the production of viable gametes, and to avoid birth defects and infertility. Many oogenic RNA-binding proteins have been identified with roles in mRNA metabolism, some of which localize to dynamic ribonucleoprotein granules and others that appear dispersed. Here, we use a combination of in vitro condensation assays and the in vivo Caenorhabditis elegans oogenesis model to characterize the properties of the conserved KH-domain MEX-3 protein and to identify novel regulators of MEX-3 and three other translational regulators. We demonstrate that MEX-3 undergoes phase separation and appears to have intrinsic gel-like properties in vitro. We also identify novel roles for the chaperonin-containing tailless complex polypeptide 1 (CCT) chaperonin and actin in preventing ectopic RNA-binding protein condensates in maturing oocytes that appear to be independent of MEX-3 folding. The CCT chaperonin and actin also oppose the expansion of endoplasmic reticulum sheets that may promote ectopic condensation of RNA-binding proteins. These novel regulators of condensation are also required for the translational repression of maternal mRNA which is essential for oocyte quality and fertility. The identification of this regulatory network may also have implications for understanding the role of hMex3 phase transitions in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed T Elaswad
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
- Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Mingze Gao
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
- Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Victoria E Tice
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
- Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Cora G Bright
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Grace M Thomas
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Chloe Munderloh
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Nicholas J Trombley
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Christya N Haddad
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Ulysses G Johnson
- Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Ashley N Cichon
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Jennifer A Schisa
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
- Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
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3
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Stewart RA, Ding Z, Jeon US, Goodman LB, Tran JJ, Zientko JP, Sabu M, Cadigan KM. Wnt target gene activation requires β-catenin separation into biomolecular condensates. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002368. [PMID: 39316611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays numerous essential roles in animal development and tissue/stem cell maintenance. The activation of genes regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling requires the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin, a transcriptional co-activator. β-catenin is recruited to many Wnt-regulated enhancers through direct binding to T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family transcription factors. β-catenin has previously been reported to form phase-separated biomolecular condensates (BMCs), which was implicated as a component of β-catenin's mechanism of action. This function required aromatic amino acid residues in the intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) at the N- and C-termini of the protein. In this report, we further explore a role for β-catenin BMCs in Wnt target gene regulation. We find that β-catenin BMCs are miscible with LEF1 BMCs in vitro and in cultured cells. We characterized a panel of β-catenin mutants with different combinations of aromatic residue mutations in human cell culture and Drosophila melanogaster. Our data support a model in which aromatic residues across both IDRs contribute to BMC formation and signaling activity. Although different Wnt targets have different sensitivities to loss of β-catenin's aromatic residues, the activation of every target examined was compromised by aromatic substitution. These mutants are not defective in nuclear import or co-immunoprecipitation with several β-catenin binding partners. In addition, residues in the N-terminal IDR with no previously known role in signaling are clearly required for the activation of various Wnt readouts. Consistent with this, deletion of the N-terminal IDR results in a loss of signaling activity, which can be rescued by the addition of heterologous IDRs enriched in aromatic residues. Overall, our work supports a model in which the ability of β-catenin to form biomolecular condensates in the nucleus is tightly linked to its function as a transcriptional co-regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Stewart
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Zhihao Ding
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ung Seop Jeon
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Lauren B Goodman
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jeannine J Tran
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - John P Zientko
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Malavika Sabu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ken M Cadigan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
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4
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Grizel AV, Gorsheneva NA, Stevenson JB, Pflaum J, Wilfling F, Rubel AA, Chernoff YO. Osmotic stress induces formation of both liquid condensates and amyloids by a yeast prion domain. J Biol Chem 2024:107766. [PMID: 39276934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid protein condensates produced by phase separation are involved in the spatiotemporal control of cellular functions, while solid fibrous aggregates (amyloids) are associated with diseases and/or manifest as infectious or heritable elements (prions). Relationships between these assemblies are poorly understood. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae release factor Sup35 can produce both fluid liquid-like condensates (e. g. at acidic pH) and amyloids (typically cross-seeded by other prions). We observed acidification-independent formation of Sup35-based liquid condensates in response to hyperosmotic shock in the absence of other prions, both at increased and physiological expression levels . The Sup35 prion domain, Sup35N, is both necessary and sufficient for condensate formation, while the middle domain, Sup35M antagonizes this process. Formation of liquid condensates in response to osmotic stress is conserved within yeast evolution. Notably, condensates of Sup35N/NM protein originated from the distantly related yeast Ogataea methanolica can directly convert to amyloids in osmotically stressed S. cerevisiae cells, providing a unique opportunity for real-time monitoring of condensate-to-fibril transition in vivo by fluorescence microscopy. Thus, cellular fate of stress-induced condensates depends on protein properties and/or intracellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia V Grizel
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Natalia A Gorsheneva
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology and Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Jonathan B Stevenson
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jeremy Pflaum
- Mechanisms of Cellular Quality Control, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt a. M., Germany
| | - Florian Wilfling
- Mechanisms of Cellular Quality Control, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt a. M., Germany
| | - Aleksandr A Rubel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology and Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yury O Chernoff
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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5
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Boyd-Shiwarski CR, Shiwarski DJ, Subramanya AR. A New Phase for WNK Kinase Signaling Complexes as Biomolecular Condensates. Physiology (Bethesda) 2024; 39:0. [PMID: 38624245 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00013.2024] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to highlight transformative advances that have been made in the field of biomolecular condensates, with special emphasis on condensate material properties, physiology, and kinases, using the With-No-Lysine (WNK) kinases as a prototypical example. To convey how WNK kinases illustrate important concepts for biomolecular condensates, we start with a brief history, focus on defining features of biomolecular condensates, and delve into some examples of how condensates are implicated in cellular physiology (and pathophysiology). We then highlight how WNK kinases, through the action of "WNK droplets" that ubiquitously regulate intracellular volume and kidney-specific "WNK bodies" that are implicated in distal tubule salt reabsorption and potassium homeostasis, exemplify many of the defining features of condensates. Finally, this review addresses the controversies within this emerging field and questions to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cary R Boyd-Shiwarski
- Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Daniel J Shiwarski
- Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Arohan R Subramanya
- Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
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6
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Mouland AJ, Chau BA, Uversky VN. Methodological approaches to studying phase separation and HIV-1 replication: Current and future perspectives. Methods 2024; 229:147-155. [PMID: 39002735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
This article reviews tried-and-tested methodologies that have been employed in the first studies on phase separating properties of structural, RNA-binding and catalytic proteins of HIV-1. These are described here to stimulate interest for any who may want to initiate similar studies on virus-mediated liquid-liquid phase separation. Such studies serve to better understand the life cycle and pathogenesis of viruses and open the door to new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Mouland
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Bao-An Chau
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
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7
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Roden CA, Gladfelter AS. Experimental Considerations for the Evaluation of Viral Biomolecular Condensates. Annu Rev Virol 2024; 11:105-124. [PMID: 39326881 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-093022-010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are nonmembrane-bound assemblies of biological polymers such as protein and nucleic acids. An increasingly accepted paradigm across the viral tree of life is (a) that viruses form biomolecular condensates and (b) that the formation is required for the virus. Condensates can promote viral replication by promoting packaging, genome compaction, membrane bending, and co-opting of host translation. This review is primarily concerned with exploring methodologies for assessing virally encoded biomolecular condensates. The goal of this review is to provide an experimental framework for virologists to consider when designing experiments to (a) identify viral condensates and their components, (b) reconstitute condensation cell free from minimal components, (c) ask questions about what conditions lead to condensation, (d) map these questions back to the viral life cycle, and (e) design and test inhibitors/modulators of condensation as potential therapeutics. This experimental framework attempts to integrate virology, cell biology, and biochemistry approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Roden
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Amy S Gladfelter
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
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8
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Odenwald J, Gabiatti B, Braune S, Shen S, Zoltner M, Kramer S. Detection of TurboID fusion proteins by fluorescent streptavidin outcompetes antibody signals and visualises targets not accessible to antibodies. eLife 2024; 13:RP95028. [PMID: 39206942 PMCID: PMC11361705 DOI: 10.7554/elife.95028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunofluorescence localises proteins via fluorophore-labelled antibodies. However, some proteins evade detection due to antibody-accessibility issues or because they are naturally low abundant or antigen density is reduced by the imaging method. Here, we show that the fusion of the target protein to the biotin ligase TurboID and subsequent detection of biotinylation by fluorescent streptavidin offers an 'all in one' solution to these restrictions. For all proteins tested, the streptavidin signal was significantly stronger than an antibody signal, markedly improving the sensitivity of expansion microscopy and correlative light and electron microscopy. Importantly, proteins within phase-separated regions, such as the central channel of the nuclear pores, the nucleolus, or RNA granules, were readily detected with streptavidin, while most antibodies failed. When TurboID is used in tandem with an HA epitope tag, co-probing with streptavidin and anti-HA can map antibody-accessibility and we created such a map for the trypanosome nuclear pore. Lastly, we show that streptavidin imaging resolves dynamic, temporally, and spatially distinct sub-complexes and, in specific cases, reveals a history of dynamic protein interaction. In conclusion, streptavidin imaging has major advantages for the detection of lowly abundant or inaccessible proteins and in addition, provides information on protein interactions and biophysical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Silke Braune
- Biocenter, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Siqi Shen
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Martin Zoltner
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in PraguePragueCzech Republic
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9
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Yao Z, Liu Y, Chen Q, Chen X, Zhu Z, Song S, Ma X, Yang P. The divergent effects of G3BP orthologs on human stress granule assembly imply a centric role for the core protein interaction network. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114617. [PMID: 39120973 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) mediated by G3BP1/2 proteins and non-translating mRNAs mediates stress granule (SG) assembly. We investigated the phylogenetic evolution of G3BP orthologs from unicellular yeast to mammals and identified both conserved and divergent features. The modular domain organization of G3BP orthologs is generally conserved. However, invertebrate orthologs displayed reduced capacity for SG assembly in human cells compared to vertebrate orthologs. We demonstrated that the protein-interaction network facilitated by the NTF2L domain is a crucial determinant of this specificity. The evolution of the G3BP1 network coincided with its exploitation by certain viruses, as evident from the interaction between viral proteins and G3BP orthologs in insects and vertebrates. We revealed the importance and divergence of the G3BP interaction network in human SG formation. Leveraging this network, we established a 7-component in vitro SG reconstitution system for quantitative studies. These findings highlight the significance of G3BP network divergence in the evolution of biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Yao
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoxin Chen
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenshuo Zhu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sha Song
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xianjue Ma
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peiguo Yang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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10
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Chakraborty S, Mishra J, Roy A, Niharika, Manna S, Baral T, Nandi P, Patra S, Patra SK. Liquid-liquid phase separation in subcellular assemblages and signaling pathways: Chromatin modifications induced gene regulation for cellular physiology and functions including carcinogenesis. Biochimie 2024; 223:74-97. [PMID: 38723938 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) describes many biochemical processes, including hydrogel formation, in the integrity of macromolecular assemblages and existence of membraneless organelles, including ribosome, nucleolus, nuclear speckles, paraspeckles, promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies, Cajal bodies (all exert crucial roles in cellular physiology), and evidence are emerging day by day. Also, phase separation is well documented in generation of plasma membrane subdomains and interplay between membranous and membraneless organelles. Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of biopolymers/proteins are the most critical sticking regions that aggravate the formation of such condensates. Remarkably, phase separated condensates are also involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, chromatin remodeling, and heterochromatinization. Epigenetic marks on DNA and histones cooperate with RNA-binding proteins through their IDRs to trigger LLPS for facilitating transcription. How phase separation coalesces mutant oncoproteins, orchestrate tumor suppressor genes expression, and facilitated cancer-associated signaling pathways are unravelling. That autophagosome formation and DYRK3-mediated cancer stem cell modification also depend on phase separation is deciphered in part. In view of this, and to linchpin insight into the subcellular membraneless organelle assembly, gene activation and biological reactions catalyzed by enzymes, and the downstream physiological functions, and how all these events are precisely facilitated by LLPS inducing organelle function, epigenetic modulation of gene expression in this scenario, and how it goes awry in cancer progression are summarized and presented in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhajit Chakraborty
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Jagdish Mishra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Ankan Roy
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Niharika
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Soumen Manna
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Tirthankar Baral
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Piyasa Nandi
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Subhajit Patra
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India
| | - Samir Kumar Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India.
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11
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Xiao YX, Lee SY, Aguilera-Uribe M, Samson R, Au A, Khanna Y, Liu Z, Cheng R, Aulakh K, Wei J, Farias AG, Reilly T, Birkadze S, Habsid A, Brown KR, Chan K, Mero P, Huang JQ, Billmann M, Rahman M, Myers C, Andrews BJ, Youn JY, Yip CM, Rotin D, Derry WB, Forman-Kay JD, Moses AM, Pritišanac I, Gingras AC, Moffat J. The TSC22D, WNK, and NRBP gene families exhibit functional buffering and evolved with Metazoa for cell volume regulation. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114417. [PMID: 38980795 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to sense and respond to osmotic fluctuations is critical for the maintenance of cellular integrity. We used gene co-essentiality analysis to identify an unappreciated relationship between TSC22D2, WNK1, and NRBP1 in regulating cell volume homeostasis. All of these genes have paralogs and are functionally buffered for osmo-sensing and cell volume control. Within seconds of hyperosmotic stress, TSC22D, WNK, and NRBP family members physically associate into biomolecular condensates, a process that is dependent on intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). A close examination of these protein families across metazoans revealed that TSC22D genes evolved alongside a domain in NRBPs that specifically binds to TSC22D proteins, which we have termed NbrT (NRBP binding region with TSC22D), and this co-evolution is accompanied by rapid IDR length expansion in WNK-family kinases. Our study reveals that TSC22D, WNK, and NRBP genes evolved in metazoans to co-regulate rapid cell volume changes in response to osmolarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xi Xiao
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Seon Yong Lee
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Magali Aguilera-Uribe
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Reuben Samson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aaron Au
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yukti Khanna
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrabe 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Zetao Liu
- Program in Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ran Cheng
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kamaldeep Aulakh
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jiarun Wei
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adrian Granda Farias
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Taylor Reilly
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Saba Birkadze
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea Habsid
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin R Brown
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katherine Chan
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Patricia Mero
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jie Qi Huang
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maximilian Billmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Mahfuzur Rahman
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Chad Myers
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Brenda J Andrews
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ji-Young Youn
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher M Yip
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniela Rotin
- Program in Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - W Brent Derry
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julie D Forman-Kay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alan M Moses
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Iva Pritišanac
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrabe 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jason Moffat
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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12
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Munshi R. How Transcription Factor Clusters Shape the Transcriptional Landscape. Biomolecules 2024; 14:875. [PMID: 39062589 PMCID: PMC11274464 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070875] [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: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, gene transcription typically occurs in discrete periods of promoter activity, interspersed with intervals of inactivity. This pattern deviates from simple stochastic events and warrants a closer examination of the molecular interactions that activate the promoter. Recent studies have identified transcription factor (TF) clusters as key precursors to transcriptional bursting. Often, these TF clusters form at chromatin segments that are physically distant from the promoter, making changes in chromatin conformation crucial for promoter-TF cluster interactions. In this review, I explore the formation and constituents of TF clusters, examining how the dynamic interplay between chromatin architecture and TF clustering influences transcriptional bursting. Additionally, I discuss techniques for visualizing TF clusters and provide an outlook on understanding the remaining gaps in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Munshi
- Joseph Henry Laboratories of Physics and Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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13
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Zhang W, Li Z, Wang X, Sun T. Phase separation is regulated by post-translational modifications and participates in the developments of human diseases. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34035. [PMID: 39071719 PMCID: PMC11279762 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intracellular proteins has emerged as a hot research topic in recent years. Membrane-less and liquid-like condensates provide dense spaces that ensure cells to high efficiently regulate genes transcription and rapidly respond to burst changes from the environment. The fomation and activity of LLPS are not only modulated by the cytosol conditions including but not limited to salt concentration and temperture. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that phase separation is also regulated by various post-translational modifications (PTMs) through modulating proteins multivalency, such as solubility and charge interactions. The regulation mechanism is crucial for normal functioning of cells, as aberrant protein aggregates are often closely related with the occurrence and development of human diseases including cancer and nurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, studying phase separation in the perspective of protein PTMs has long-term significance for human health. In this review, we summarized the properties and cellular physiological functions of LLPS, particularly its relationships with PTMs in human diseases according to recent researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibo Zhang
- Faculty of Health Sciences Building University of Macau E12 Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Zhengfeng Li
- Faculty of Health Sciences Building University of Macau E12 Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Xianju Wang
- Faculty of Health Sciences Building University of Macau E12 Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Ting Sun
- Faculty of Health Sciences Building University of Macau E12 Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China
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14
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Elaswad MT, Gao M, Tice VE, Bright CG, Thomas GM, Munderloh C, Trombley NJ, Haddad CN, Johnson UG, Cichon AN, Schisa JA. The CCT chaperonin and actin modulate the ER and RNA-binding protein condensation during oogenesis to maintain translational repression of maternal mRNA and oocyte quality. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601596. [PMID: 39005301 PMCID: PMC11244991 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The regulation of maternal mRNAs is essential for proper oogenesis, the production of viable gametes, and to avoid birth defects and infertility. Many oogenic RNA-binding proteins have been identified with roles in mRNA metabolism, some of which localize to dynamic ribonucleoprotein granules and others that appear dispersed. Here, we use a combination of in vitro condensation assays and the in vivo C. elegans oogenesis model to determine the intrinsic properties of the conserved KH-domain MEX-3 protein and to identify novel regulators of MEX-3 and the Lsm protein, CAR-1. We demonstrate that MEX-3 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation and appears to have intrinsic gel-like properties in vitro . We also identify novel roles for the CCT chaperonin and actin in preventing ectopic RNA-binding protein condensates in maturing oocytes that appear to be independent of MEX-3 folding. CCT and actin also oppose the expansion of ER sheets that may promote ectopic condensation of RNA-binding proteins that are associated with de-repression of maternal mRNA. This regulatory network is essential to preserve oocyte quality, prevent infertility, and may have implications for understanding the role of hMex3 phase transitions in cancer. Significance statement The molecular mechanisms that regulate phase transitions of oogenic RNA-binding proteins are critical to elucidate but are not fully understood.We identify novel regulators of RNA-binding protein phase transitions in maturing oocytes that are required to maintain translational repression of maternal mRNAs and oocyte quality.This study is the first to elucidate a regulatory network involving the CCT chaperonin, actin, and the ER for phase transitions of RNA-binding proteins during oogenesis. Our findings for the conserved MEX-3 protein may also be applicable to better understanding the role of hMex3 phase transitions in cancer.
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15
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Norrild RK, Mason TO, Boyens-Thiele L, Ray S, Mortensen JB, Fritsch AW, Iglesias-Artola JM, Klausen LK, Stender EGP, Jensen H, Buell AK. Taylor Dispersion-Induced Phase Separation for the Efficient Characterisation of Protein Condensate Formation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404018. [PMID: 38593269 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404018] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates have emerged as important structures in cellular function and disease, and are thought to form through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Thorough and efficient in vitro experiments are therefore needed to elucidate the driving forces of protein LLPS and the possibility to modulate it with drugs. Here we present Taylor dispersion-induced phase separation (TDIPS), a method to robustly measure condensation phenomena using a commercially available microfluidic platform. It uses only nanoliters of sample, does not require extrinsic fluorescent labels, and is straightforward to implement. We demonstrate TDIPS by screening the phase behaviour of two proteins that form biomolecular condensates in vivo, PGL-3 and Ddx4. Uniquely accessible to this method, we find an unexpected re-entrant behaviour at very low ionic strength, where LLPS is inhibited for both proteins. TDIPS can also probe the reversibility of assemblies, which was shown for both α-synuclein and for lysozyme, relevant for health and biotechnology, respectively. Finally, we highlight how effective inhibition concentrations and partitioning of LLPS-modifying compounds can be screened highly efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus K Norrild
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 227, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas O Mason
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 227, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lars Boyens-Thiele
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 227, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Soumik Ray
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 227, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Joachim B Mortensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 227, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anatol W Fritsch
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstraße 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Juan M Iglesias-Artola
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstraße 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Louise K Klausen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 227, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Henrik Jensen
- FIDA Biosystems Aps, Generatorvej 6 A+B, 2860, Søborg, Denmark
| | - Alexander K Buell
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 227, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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16
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Yao RW, Rosen MK. Advanced surface passivation for high-sensitivity studies of biomolecular condensates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2403013121. [PMID: 38781207 PMCID: PMC11145189 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403013121] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are cellular compartments that concentrate biomolecules without an encapsulating membrane. In recent years, significant advances have been made in the understanding of condensates through biochemical reconstitution and microscopic detection of these structures. Quantitative visualization and biochemical assays of biomolecular condensates rely on surface passivation to minimize background and artifacts due to condensate adhesion. However, the challenge of undesired interactions between condensates and glass surfaces, which can alter material properties and impair observational accuracy, remains a critical hurdle. Here, we introduce an efficient, broadly applicable, and simple passivation method employing self-assembly of the surfactant Pluronic F127 (PF127). The method greatly reduces nonspecific binding across a range of condensates systems for both phase-separated droplets and biomolecules in dilute phase. Additionally, by integrating PF127 passivation with the Biotin-NeutrAvidin system, we achieve controlled multipoint attachment of condensates to surfaces. This not only preserves condensate properties but also facilitates long-time fluorescence recovery after photobleaching imaging and high-precision single-molecule analyses. Using this method, we have explored the dynamics of polySIM molecules within polySUMO/polySIM condensates at the single-molecule level. Our observations suggest a potential heterogeneity in the distribution of available polySIM-binding sites within the condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run-Wen Yao
- Department of Biophysics, HHMI, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Michael K. Rosen
- Department of Biophysics, HHMI, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
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17
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Sun W, Dong Q, Li X, Gao J, Ye X, Hu C, Li F, Chen Y. The SUN-family protein Sad1 mediates heterochromatin spatial organization through interaction with histone H2A-H2B. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4322. [PMID: 38773107 PMCID: PMC11109203 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48418-7] [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: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatin is generally associated with the nuclear periphery, but how the spatial organization of heterochromatin is regulated to ensure epigenetic silencing remains unclear. Here we found that Sad1, an inner nuclear membrane SUN-family protein in fission yeast, interacts with histone H2A-H2B but not H3-H4. We solved the crystal structure of the histone binding motif (HBM) of Sad1 in complex with H2A-H2B, revealing the intimate contacts between Sad1HBM and H2A-H2B. Structure-based mutagenesis studies revealed that the H2A-H2B-binding activity of Sad1 is required for the dynamic distribution of Sad1 throughout the nuclear envelope (NE). The Sad1-H2A-H2B complex mediates tethering telomeres and the mating-type locus to the NE. This complex is also important for heterochromatin silencing. Mechanistically, H2A-H2B enhances the interaction between Sad1 and HDACs, including Clr3 and Sir2, to maintain epigenetic identity of heterochromatin. Interestingly, our results suggest that Sad1 exhibits the histone-enhanced liquid-liquid phase separation property, which helps recruit heterochromatin factors to the NE. Our results uncover an unexpected role of SUN-family proteins in heterochromatin regulation and suggest a nucleosome-independent role of H2A-H2B in regulating Sad1's functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianhua Dong
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xueqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxin Gao
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xianwen Ye
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyi Hu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Yong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai, China.
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18
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He Y, Yang X, Xia X, Wang Y, Dong Y, Wu L, Jiang P, Zhang X, Jiang C, Ma H, Ma W, Liu C, Whitford R, Tucker MR, Zhang Z, Li G. A phase-separated protein hub modulates resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:710-726.e10. [PMID: 38657607 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating wheat disease. Fhb1, the most widely applied genetic locus for FHB resistance, is conferred by TaHRC of an unknown mode of action. Here, we show that TaHRC alleles distinctly drive liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) within a proteinaceous complex, determining FHB susceptibility or resistance. TaHRC-S (susceptible) exhibits stronger LLPS ability than TaHRC-R (resistant), and this distinction is further intensified by fungal mycotoxin deoxynivalenol, leading to opposing FHB symptoms. TaHRC recruits a protein class with intrinsic LLPS potentials, referred to as an "HRC-containing hub." TaHRC-S drives condensation of hub components, while TaHRC-R comparatively suppresses hub condensate formation. The function of TaSR45a splicing factor, a hub member, depends on TaHRC-driven condensate state, which in turn differentially directs alternative splicing, switching between susceptibility and resistance to wheat FHB. These findings reveal a mechanism for FHB spread within a spike and shed light on the roles of complex condensates in controlling plant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi He
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, The Research Center of Wheat Scab, Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Xiujuan Yang
- Waite Research Institute, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yuhua Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yifan Dong
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Lei Wu
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, The Research Center of Wheat Scab, Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, The Research Center of Wheat Scab, Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, The Research Center of Wheat Scab, Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Cong Jiang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Hongxiang Ma
- College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Wujun Ma
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ryan Whitford
- Centre for Crop and Food Innovation (CCFI), State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC), Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Matthew R Tucker
- Waite Research Institute, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Zhengguang Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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19
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Desroches Altamirano C, Kang MK, Jordan MA, Borianne T, Dilmen I, Gnädig M, von Appen A, Honigmann A, Franzmann TM, Alberti S. eIF4F is a thermo-sensing regulatory node in the translational heat shock response. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1727-1741.e12. [PMID: 38547866 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Heat-shocked cells prioritize the translation of heat shock (HS) mRNAs, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. We report that HS in budding yeast induces the disassembly of the eIF4F complex, where eIF4G and eIF4E assemble into translationally arrested mRNA ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) and HS granules (HSGs), whereas eIF4A promotes HS translation. Using in vitro reconstitution biochemistry, we show that a conformational rearrangement of the thermo-sensing eIF4A-binding domain of eIF4G dissociates eIF4A and promotes the assembly with mRNA into HS-mRNPs, which recruit additional translation factors, including Pab1p and eIF4E, to form multi-component condensates. Using extracts and cellular experiments, we demonstrate that HS-mRNPs and condensates repress the translation of associated mRNA and deplete translation factors that are required for housekeeping translation, whereas HS mRNAs can be efficiently translated by eIF4A. We conclude that the eIF4F complex is a thermo-sensing node that regulates translation during HS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Desroches Altamirano
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Moo-Koo Kang
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mareike A Jordan
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstraße 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Tom Borianne
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Irem Dilmen
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Maren Gnädig
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander von Appen
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstraße 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alf Honigmann
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Titus M Franzmann
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Simon Alberti
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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20
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Liang Q, Peng N, Xie Y, Kumar N, Gao W, Miao Y. MolPhase, an advanced prediction algorithm for protein phase separation. EMBO J 2024; 43:1898-1918. [PMID: 38565952 PMCID: PMC11065880 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00090-9] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
We introduce MolPhase, an advanced algorithm for predicting protein phase separation (PS) behavior that improves accuracy and reliability by utilizing diverse physicochemical features and extensive experimental datasets. MolPhase applies a user-friendly interface to compare distinct biophysical features side-by-side along protein sequences. By additional comparison with structural predictions, MolPhase enables efficient predictions of new phase-separating proteins and guides hypothesis generation and experimental design. Key contributing factors underlying MolPhase include electrostatic pi-interactions, disorder, and prion-like domains. As an example, MolPhase finds that phytobacterial type III effectors (T3Es) are highly prone to homotypic PS, which was experimentally validated in vitro biochemically and in vivo in plants, mimicking their injection and accumulation in the host during microbial infection. The physicochemical characteristics of T3Es dictate their patterns of association for multivalent interactions, influencing the material properties of phase-separating droplets based on the surrounding microenvironment in vivo or in vitro. Robust integration of MolPhase's effective prediction and experimental validation exhibit the potential to evaluate and explore how biomolecule PS functions in biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu Liang
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nana Peng
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi Xie
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nivedita Kumar
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Weibo Gao
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yansong Miao
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore, Singapore.
- Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science, Nanyang Technological University, 636921, Singapore, Singapore.
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21
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Xu C, Tan Y, Zhang LY, Luo XJ, Wu JF, Ma L, Deng F. The Application of Aptamer and Research Progress in Liver Disease. Mol Biotechnol 2024; 66:1000-1018. [PMID: 38305844 PMCID: PMC11087326 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-01030-4] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Aptamers, as a kind of small-molecule nucleic acid, have attracted much attention since their discovery. Compared with biological reagents such as antibodies, aptamers have the advantages of small molecular weight, low immunogenicity, low cost, and easy modification. At present, aptamers are mainly used in disease biomarker discovery, disease diagnosis, treatment, and targeted drug delivery vectors. In the process of screening and optimizing aptamers, it is found that there are still many problems need to be solved such as the design of the library, optimization of screening conditions, the truncation of screened aptamer, and the stability and toxicity of the aptamer. In recent years, the incidence of liver-related diseases is increasing year by year and the treatment measures are relatively lacking, which has attracted the people's attention in the application of aptamers in liver diseases. This article mainly summarizes the research status of aptamers in disease diagnosis and treatment, especially focusing on the application of aptamers in liver diseases, showing the crucial significance of aptamers in the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases, and the use of Discovery Studio software to find the binding target and sequence of aptamers, and explore their possible interaction sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Xu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, Hubei, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yong Tan
- Hubei Selenium and Human Health Institute, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, Hubei, China
| | - Li-Ye Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, Hubei, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, Hubei, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Jiang-Feng Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, Hubei, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Lan Ma
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, Hubei, China.
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
| | - Fei Deng
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.
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22
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Thappeta Y, Cañas-Duarte SJ, Kallem T, Fragasso A, Xiang Y, Gray W, Lee C, Cegelski L, Jacobs-Wagner C. Glycogen phase separation drives macromolecular rearrangement and asymmetric division in E. coli. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.19.590186. [PMID: 38659787 PMCID: PMC11042326 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.19.590186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria often experience nutrient limitation in nature and the laboratory. While exponential and stationary growth phases are well characterized in the model bacterium Escherichia coli, little is known about what transpires inside individual cells during the transition between these two phases. Through quantitative cell imaging, we found that the position of nucleoids and cell division sites becomes increasingly asymmetric during transition phase. These asymmetries were coupled with spatial reorganization of proteins, ribosomes, and RNAs to nucleoid-centric localizations. Results from live-cell imaging experiments, complemented with genetic and 13C whole-cell nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies, show that preferential accumulation of the storage polymer glycogen at the old cell pole leads to the observed rearrangements and asymmetric divisions. In vitro experiments suggest that these phenotypes are likely due to the propensity of glycogen to phase separate in crowded environments, as glycogen condensates exclude fluorescent proteins under physiological crowding conditions. Glycogen-associated differences in cell sizes between strains and future daughter cells suggest that glycogen phase separation allows cells to store large glucose reserves without counting them as cytoplasmic space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashna Thappeta
- Sarafan Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Silvia J. Cañas-Duarte
- Sarafan Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Till Kallem
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alessio Fragasso
- Sarafan Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yingjie Xiang
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - William Gray
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Cheyenne Lee
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | | | - Christine Jacobs-Wagner
- Sarafan Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
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23
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Chen D, Shi C, Xu W, Rong Q, Wu Q. Regulation of phase separation and antiviral activity of Cactin by glycolytic enzyme PGK via phosphorylation in Drosophila. mBio 2024; 15:e0137823. [PMID: 38446061 PMCID: PMC11005415 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01378-23] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) plays a crucial role in various biological processes in eukaryotic organisms, including immune responses in mammals. However, the specific function of LLPS in immune responses in Drosophila melanogaster remains poorly understood. Cactin, a highly conserved protein in eukaryotes, is involved in a non-canonical signaling pathway associated with Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-related pathways in Drosophila. In this study, we investigated the role of Cactin in LLPS and its implications for immune response modulation. We discovered that Cactin undergoes LLPS, forming droplet-like particles, primarily mediated by its intrinsically disordered region (IDR). Utilizing immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis, we identified two phosphorylation sites at serine residues 99 and 104 within the IDR1 domain of Cactin. Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry further revealed phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) as a Cactin-interacting protein responsible for regulating its phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of Cactin by PGK induced a transition from stable aggregates to dynamic liquid droplets, enhancing its ability to interact with other components in the cellular environment. Overexpression of PGK inhibited Drosophila C virus (DCV) replication, while PGK knockdown increased replication. DCV infection also increased Cactin phosphorylation. We also found that phosphorylation enhances the antiviral ability of Cactin by promoting liquid-phase droplet formation. These findings demonstrate the role of Cactin-phase separation in regulating DCV replication and highlight the modulation of its antiviral function through phosphorylation, providing insights into the interplay between LLPS and antiviral defense mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) plays an integral role in various biological processes in eukaryotic organisms. Although several studies have highlighted its crucial role in modulating immune responses in mammals, its function in immune responses in Drosophila melanogaster remains poorly understood. Our study investigated the role of Cactin in LLPS and its implications for immune response modulation. We identified that phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), an essential enzyme in the glycolytic pathway, phosphorylates Cactin, facilitating its transition from a relatively stable aggregated state to a more dynamic liquid droplet phase during the phase separation process. This transformation allows Cactin to rapidly interact with other cellular components, enhancing its antiviral properties and ultimately inhibiting virus replication. These findings expand our understanding of the role of LLPS in the antiviral defense mechanism, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms underlying immune responses in D. melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongchao Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Division of Molecular Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chang Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Division of Molecular Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Division of Molecular Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qiqi Rong
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Division of Molecular Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qingfa Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Division of Molecular Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Pharmaceutical Preparations and Clinical Pharmacy, Hefei, Anhui, China
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24
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Li C, Hao B, Yang H, Wang K, Fan L, Xiao W. Protein aggregation and biomolecular condensation in hypoxic environments (Review). Int J Mol Med 2024; 53:33. [PMID: 38362920 PMCID: PMC10903932 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2024.5357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to molecular forces, biomacromolecules assemble into liquid condensates or solid aggregates, and their corresponding formation and dissolution processes are controlled. Protein homeostasis is disrupted by increasing age or environmental stress, leading to irreversible protein aggregation. Hypoxic pressure is an important factor in this process, and uncontrolled protein aggregation has been widely observed in hypoxia‑related conditions such as neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, hypoxic brain injury and cancer. Biomolecular condensates are also high‑order complexes assembled from macromolecules. Although they exist in different phase from protein aggregates, they are in dynamic balance under certain conditions, and their activation or assembly are considered as important regulatory processes in cell survival with hypoxic pressure. Therefore, a better understanding of the relationship between hypoxic stress, protein aggregation and biomolecular condensation will bring marked benefits in the clinical treatment of various diseases. The aim of the present review was to summarize the underlying mechanisms of aggregate assembly and dissolution induced by hypoxic conditions, and address recent breakthroughs in understanding the role of aggregates in hypoxic‑related diseases, given the hypotheses that hypoxia induces macromolecular assemblage changes from a liquid to a solid phase, and that adenosine triphosphate depletion and ATP‑driven inactivation of multiple protein chaperones play important roles among the process. Moreover, it is anticipated that an improved understanding of the adaptation in hypoxic environments could extend the overall survival of patients and provide new strategies for hypoxic‑related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Li
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
- Institute of Energy Metabolism and Health, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Bingjie Hao
- Institute of Energy Metabolism and Health, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Haiguang Yang
- Institute of Energy Metabolism and Health, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Kai Wang
- Institute of Energy Metabolism and Health, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Lihong Fan
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
- Institute of Energy Metabolism and Health, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Weihua Xiao
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
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25
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Hou S, Hu J, Yu Z, Li D, Liu C, Zhang Y. Machine learning predictor PSPire screens for phase-separating proteins lacking intrinsically disordered regions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2147. [PMID: 38459060 PMCID: PMC10923898 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46445-y] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The burgeoning comprehension of protein phase separation (PS) has ushered in a wealth of bioinformatics tools for the prediction of phase-separating proteins (PSPs). These tools often skew towards PSPs with a high content of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), thus frequently undervaluing potential PSPs without IDRs. Nonetheless, PS is not only steered by IDRs but also by the structured modular domains and interactions that aren't necessarily reflected in amino acid sequences. In this work, we introduce PSPire, a machine learning predictor that incorporates both residue-level and structure-level features for the precise prediction of PSPs. Compared to current PSP predictors, PSPire shows a notable improvement in identifying PSPs without IDRs, which underscores the crucial role of non-IDR, structure-based characteristics in multivalent interactions throughout the PS process. Additionally, our biological validation experiments substantiate the predictive capacity of PSPire, with 9 out of 11 chosen candidate PSPs confirmed to form condensates within cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jiaojiao Hu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhaowei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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26
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de Vries T, Novakovic M, Ni Y, Smok I, Inghelram C, Bikaki M, Sarnowski CP, Han Y, Emmanouilidis L, Padroni G, Leitner A, Allain FHT. Specific protein-RNA interactions are mostly preserved in biomolecular condensates. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm7435. [PMID: 38446881 PMCID: PMC10917357 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Many biomolecular condensates are enriched in and depend on RNAs and RNA binding proteins (RBPs). So far, only a few studies have addressed the characterization of the intermolecular interactions responsible for liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and the impact of condensation on RBPs and RNAs. Here, we present an approach to study protein-RNA interactions inside biomolecular condensates by applying cross-linking of isotope labeled RNA and tandem mass spectrometry to phase-separating systems (LLPS-CLIR-MS). LLPS-CLIR-MS enables the characterization of intermolecular interactions present within biomolecular condensates at residue-specific resolution and allows a comparison with the same complexes in the dispersed phase. We observe that sequence-specific RBP-RNA interactions present in the dispersed phase are generally maintained inside condensates. In addition, LLPS-CLIR-MS identifies structural alterations at the protein-RNA interfaces, including additional unspecific contacts in the condensed phase. Our approach offers a procedure to derive structural information of protein-RNA complexes within biomolecular condensates that could be critical for integrative structural modeling of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) in this form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tebbe de Vries
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mihajlo Novakovic
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yinan Ni
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Izabela Smok
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Clara Inghelram
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Bikaki
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chris P. Sarnowski
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yaning Han
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Giacomo Padroni
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Leitner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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27
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Esteban-Hofer L, Emmanouilidis L, Yulikov M, Allain FHT, Jeschke G. Ensemble structure of the N-terminal domain (1-267) of FUS in a biomolecular condensate. Biophys J 2024; 123:538-554. [PMID: 38279531 PMCID: PMC10938082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Solutions of some proteins phase separate into a condensed state of high protein concentration and a dispersed state of low concentration. Such behavior is observed in living cells for a number of RNA-binding proteins that feature intrinsically disordered domains. It is relevant for cell function via the formation of membraneless organelles and transcriptional condensates. On a basic level, the process can be studied in vitro on protein domains that are necessary and sufficient for liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). We have performed distance distribution measurements by electron paramagnetic resonance for 13 sections in an N-terminal domain (NTD) construct of the protein fused in sarcoma (FUS), consisting of the QGSY-rich domain and the RGG1 domain, in the denatured, dispersed, and condensed state. Using 10 distance distribution restraints for ensemble modeling and three such restraints for model validation, we have found that FUS NTD behaves as a random-coil polymer under good-solvent conditions in both the dispersed and condensed state. Conformation distribution in the biomolecular condensate is virtually indistinguishable from the one in an unrestrained ensemble, with the latter one being based on only residue-specific Ramachandran angle distributions. Over its whole length, FUS NTD is slightly more compact in the condensed than in the dispersed state, which is in line with the theory for random coils in good solvent proposed by de Gennes, Daoud, and Jannink. The estimated concentration in the condensate exceeds the overlap concentration resulting from this theory. The QGSY-rich domain is slightly more extended, slightly more hydrated, and has slightly higher propensity for LLPS than the RGG1 domain. Our results support previous suggestions that LLPS of FUS is driven by multiple transient nonspecific hydrogen bonding and π-sp2 interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Esteban-Hofer
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Maxim Yulikov
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Gunnar Jeschke
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
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28
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Mao S, Xie C, Liu Y, Zhao Y, Li M, Gao H, Xiao Y, Zou Y, Zheng Z, Gao Y, Xie J, Tian B, Wang L, Hua Y, Xu H. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endodeoxyribonuclease 1 (APE1) promotes stress granule formation via YBX1 phosphorylation in ovarian cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:113. [PMID: 38436697 PMCID: PMC10912283 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05086-y] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
APE1 is an essential gene involved in DNA damage repair, the redox regulation of transcriptional factors (TFs) and RNA processing. APE1 overexpression is common in cancers and correlates with poor patient survival. Stress granules (SGs) are phase-separated cytoplasmic assemblies that cells form in response to environmental stresses. Precise regulation of SGs is pivotal to cell survival, whereas their dysregulation is increasingly linked to diseases. Whether APE1 engages in modulating SG dynamics is worthy of investigation. In this study, we demonstrate that APE1 colocalizes with SGs and promotes their formation. Through phosphoproteome profiling, we discover that APE1 significantly alters the phosphorylation landscape of ovarian cancer cells, particularly the phosphoprofile of SG proteins. Notably, APE1 promotes the phosphorylation of Y-Box binding protein 1 (YBX1) at S174 and S176, leading to enhanced SG formation and cell survival. Moreover, expression of the phosphomutant YBX1 S174/176E mimicking hyperphosphorylation in APE1-knockdown cells recovered the impaired SG formation. These findings shed light on the functional importance of APE1 in SG regulation and highlight the importance of YBX1 phosphorylation in SG dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu Mao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chong Xie
- Institute for Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518107, China
- Department of Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yufeng Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ye Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengxia Li
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinses Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Han Gao
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinses Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Xiao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongkang Zou
- Department of Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiguo Zheng
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ya Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Juan Xie
- Department of Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bing Tian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liangyan Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuejin Hua
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Hong Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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29
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Haugerud IS, Jaiswal P, Weber CA. Nonequilibrium Wet-Dry Cycling Acts as a Catalyst for Chemical Reactions. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:1724-1736. [PMID: 38335971 PMCID: PMC10895654 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Recent experimental studies suggest that wet-dry cycles and coexisting phases can each strongly alter chemical processes. The mechanisms of why and to what degree chemical processes are altered when subjected to evaporation and condensation are unclear. To close this gap, we developed a theoretical framework for nondilute chemical reactions subject to nonequilibrium conditions of evaporation and condensation. We find that such conditions can change the half-time of the product's yield by more than an order of magnitude, depending on the substrate-solvent interaction. We show that the cycle frequency strongly affects the chemical turnover when the system is maintained out of equilibrium by wet-dry cycles. There exists a resonance behavior in the cycle frequency where the turnover is maximal. This resonance behavior enables wet-dry cycles to select specific chemical reactions, suggesting a potential mechanism for chemical evolution in prebiotic soups at early Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivar Svalheim Haugerud
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Materials Engineering: Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, Augsburg 86159, Germany
| | - Pranay Jaiswal
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Materials Engineering: Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, Augsburg 86159, Germany
| | - Christoph A Weber
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Materials Engineering: Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, Augsburg 86159, Germany
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30
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Chappidi N, Quail T, Doll S, Vogel LT, Aleksandrov R, Felekyan S, Kühnemuth R, Stoynov S, Seidel CAM, Brugués J, Jahnel M, Franzmann TM, Alberti S. PARP1-DNA co-condensation drives DNA repair site assembly to prevent disjunction of broken DNA ends. Cell 2024; 187:945-961.e18. [PMID: 38320550 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired at DSB sites. How DSB sites assemble and how broken DNA is prevented from separating is not understood. Here we uncover that the synapsis of broken DNA is mediated by the DSB sensor protein poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase 1 (PARP1). Using bottom-up biochemistry, we reconstitute functional DSB sites and show that DSB sites form through co-condensation of PARP1 multimers with DNA. The co-condensates exert mechanical forces to keep DNA ends together and become enzymatically active for PAR synthesis. PARylation promotes release of PARP1 from DNA ends and the recruitment of effectors, such as Fused in Sarcoma, which stabilizes broken DNA ends against separation, revealing a finely orchestrated order of events that primes broken DNA for repair. We provide a comprehensive model for the hierarchical assembly of DSB condensates to explain DNA end synapsis and the recruitment of effector proteins for DNA damage repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagaraja Chappidi
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Quail
- Max Planck Institute of Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Arnoldstraße 18, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPI-PKS), Nöthnitzer Str. 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany; Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Doll
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Arnoldstraße 18, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Laura T Vogel
- Department of Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Radoslav Aleksandrov
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str, bl.21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Suren Felekyan
- Department of Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ralf Kühnemuth
- Department of Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stoyno Stoynov
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str, bl.21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Claus A M Seidel
- Department of Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jan Brugués
- Max Planck Institute of Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Arnoldstraße 18, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPI-PKS), Nöthnitzer Str. 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marcus Jahnel
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Arnoldstraße 18, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Titus M Franzmann
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Simon Alberti
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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31
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Yao RW, Rosen MK. Advanced Surface Passivation for High-Sensitivity Studies of Biomolecular Condensates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.12.580000. [PMID: 38405951 PMCID: PMC10888978 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.12.580000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are cellular compartments that concentrate biomolecules without an encapsulating membrane. In recent years, significant advances have been made in the understanding of condensates through biochemical reconstitution and microscopic detection of these structures. Quantitative visualization and biochemical assays of biomolecular condensates rely on surface passivation to minimize background and artifacts due to condensate adhesion. However, the challenge of undesired interactions between condensates and glass surfaces, which can alter material properties and impair observational accuracy, remains a critical hurdle. Here, we introduce an efficient, generically applicable, and simple passivation method employing self-assembly of the surfactant Pluronic F127 (PF127). The method greatly reduces nonspecific binding across a range of condensates systems for both phase-separated droplets and biomolecules in dilute phase. Additionally, by integrating PF127 passivation with the Biotin-NeutrAvidin system, we achieve controlled multi-point attachment of condensates to surfaces. This not only preserves condensate properties but also facilitates long-time FRAP imaging and high-precision single-molecule analyses. Using this method, we have explored the dynamics of polySIM molecules within polySUMO/polySIM condensates at the single-molecule level. Our observations suggest a potential heterogeneity in the distribution of available polySIM-binding sites within the condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run-Wen Yao
- Department of Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Michael K Rosen
- Department of Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
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32
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Lin Z, Li D, Zheng J, Yao C, Liu D, Zhang H, Feng H, Chen C, Li P, Zhang Y, Jiang B, Hu Z, Zhao Y, Shi F, Cao D, Rodriguez-Wallberg KA, Li Z, Yeung WSB, Chow LT, Wang H, Liu K. The male pachynema-specific protein MAPS drives phase separation in vitro and regulates sex body formation and chromatin behaviors in vivo. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113651. [PMID: 38175751 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Dynamic chromosome remodeling and nuclear compartmentalization take place during mammalian meiotic prophase I. We report here that the crucial roles of male pachynema-specific protein (MAPS) in pachynema progression might be mediated by its liquid-liquid phase separation in vitro and in cellulo. MAPS forms distinguishable liquid phases, and deletion or mutations of its N-terminal amino acids (aa) 2-9 disrupt its secondary structure and charge properties, impeding phase separation. Maps-/- pachytene spermatocytes exhibit defects in nucleus compartmentalization, including defects in forming sex bodies, altered nucleosome composition, and disordered chromatin accessibility. MapsΔ2-9/Δ2-9 male mice expressing MAPS protein lacking aa 2-9 phenocopy Maps-/- mice. Moreover, a frameshift mutation in C3orf62, the human counterpart of Maps, is correlated with nonobstructive azoospermia in a patient exhibiting pachynema arrest in spermatocyte development. Hence, the phase separation property of MAPS seems essential for pachynema progression in mouse and human spermatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexiong Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dongliang Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiahuan Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Dongteng Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Haiwei Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chunxu Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Massey Cancer Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Binjie Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhe Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fu Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dandan Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - William S B Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Louise T Chow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Hengbin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Massey Cancer Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Kui Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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33
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Wang F, Zhang Y. Physiology and pharmacological targeting of phase separation. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:11. [PMID: 38245749 PMCID: PMC10800077 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-00993-z] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in biology describes a process by which proteins form membraneless condensates within a cellular compartment when conditions are met, including the concentration and posttranslational modifications of the protein components, the condition of the aqueous solution (pH, ionic strength, pressure, and temperature), and the existence of assisting factors (such as RNAs or other proteins). In these supramolecular liquid droplet-like inclusion bodies, molecules are held together through weak intermolecular and/or intramolecular interactions. With the aid of LLPS, cells can assemble functional sub-units within a given cellular compartment by enriching or excluding specific factors, modulating cellular function, and rapidly responding to environmental or physiological cues. Hence, LLPS is emerging as an important means to regulate biology and physiology. Yet, excessive inclusion body formation by, for instance, higher-than-normal concentrations or mutant forms of the protein components could result in the conversion from dynamic liquid condensates into more rigid gel- or solid-like aggregates, leading to the disruption of the organelle's function followed by the development of human disorders like neurodegenerative diseases. In summary, well-controlled formation and de-formation of LLPS is critical for normal biology and physiology from single cells to individual organisms, whereas abnormal LLPS is involved in the pathophysiology of human diseases. In turn, targeting these aggregates or their formation represents a promising approach in treating diseases driven by abnormal LLPS including those neurodegenerative diseases that lack effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, 2109 Adelbert Road, W309A, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Youwei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, 2109 Adelbert Road, W309A, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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34
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Grams N, Charman M, Halko E, Lauman R, Garcia BA, Weitzman MD. Phosphorylation regulates viral biomolecular condensates to promote infectious progeny production. EMBO J 2024; 43:277-303. [PMID: 38177504 PMCID: PMC10897327 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-023-00021-0] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates (BMCs) play important roles in diverse biological processes. Many viruses form BMCs which have been implicated in various functions critical for the productive infection of host cells. The adenovirus L1-52/55 kilodalton protein (52K) was recently shown to form viral BMCs that coordinate viral genome packaging and capsid assembly. Although critical for packaging, we do not know how viral condensates are regulated during adenovirus infection. Here we show that phosphorylation of serine residues 28 and 75 within the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region of 52K modulates viral condensates in vitro and in cells, promoting liquid-like properties. Furthermore, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of 52K promotes viral genome packaging and the production of infectious progeny particles. Collectively, our findings provide insights into how viral condensate properties are regulated and maintained in a state conducive to their function in viral progeny production. In addition, our findings have implications for antiviral strategies aimed at targeting the regulation of viral BMCs to limit viral multiplication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Grams
- Division of Protective Immunity and Division of Cancer Pathobiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matthew Charman
- Division of Protective Immunity and Division of Cancer Pathobiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Edwin Halko
- Division of Protective Immunity and Division of Cancer Pathobiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard Lauman
- Division of Protective Immunity and Division of Cancer Pathobiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Matthew D Weitzman
- Division of Protective Immunity and Division of Cancer Pathobiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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35
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Kasturi M, Mathur V, Gadre M, Srinivasan V, Vasanthan KS. Three Dimensional Bioprinting for Hepatic Tissue Engineering: From In Vitro Models to Clinical Applications. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2024; 21:21-52. [PMID: 37882981 PMCID: PMC10764711 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-023-00576-3] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fabrication of functional organs is the holy grail of tissue engineering and the possibilities of repairing a partial or complete liver to treat chronic liver disorders are discussed in this review. Liver is the largest gland in the human body and plays a responsible role in majority of metabolic function and processes. Chronic liver disease is one of the leading causes of death globally and the current treatment strategy of organ transplantation holds its own demerits. Hence there is a need to develop an in vitro liver model that mimics the native microenvironment. The developed model should be a reliable to understand the pathogenesis, screen drugs and assist to repair and replace the damaged liver. The three-dimensional bioprinting is a promising technology that recreates in vivo alike in vitro model for transplantation, which is the goal of tissue engineers. The technology has great potential due to its precise control and its ability to homogeneously distribute cells on all layers in a complex structure. This review gives an overview of liver tissue engineering with a special focus on 3D bioprinting and bioinks for liver disease modelling and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghana Kasturi
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Vidhi Mathur
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Mrunmayi Gadre
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Varadharajan Srinivasan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Kirthanashri S Vasanthan
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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36
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Yoo W, Song YW, Kim J, Ahn J, Kim J, Shin Y, Ryu JK, Kim KK. Molecular basis for SOX2-dependent regulation of super-enhancer activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11999-12019. [PMID: 37930832 PMCID: PMC10711550 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad908] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pioneer transcription factors (TFs) like SOX2 are vital for stemness and cancer through enhancing gene expression within transcriptional condensates formed with coactivators, RNAs and mediators on super-enhancers (SEs). Despite their importance, how these factors work together for transcriptional condensation and activation remains unclear. SOX2, a pioneer TF found in SEs of pluripotent and cancer stem cells, initiates SE-mediated transcription by binding to nucleosomes, though the mechanism isn't fully understood. To address SOX2's role in SEs, we identified mSE078 as a model SOX2-enriched SE and p300 as a coactivator through bioinformatic analysis. In vitro and cell assays showed SOX2 forms condensates with p300 and SOX2-binding motifs in mSE078. We further proved that SOX2 condensation is highly correlated with mSE078's enhancer activity in cells. Moreover, we successfully demonstrated that p300 not only elevated transcriptional activity but also triggered chromatin acetylation via its direct interaction with SOX2 within these transcriptional condensates. Finally, our validation of SOX2-enriched SEs showcased their contribution to target gene expression in both stem cells and cancer cells. In its entirety, this study imparts valuable mechanistic insights into the collaborative interplay of SOX2 and its coactivator p300, shedding light on the regulation of transcriptional condensation and activation within SOX2-enriched SEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanki Yoo
- Department of Precision Medicine, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science (GSBMS), Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi Wei Song
- Department of Precision Medicine, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science (GSBMS), Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Ahn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongdae Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Kyung Ryu
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Kyu Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science (GSBMS), Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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37
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Voß Y, Klaus S, Lichti NP, Ganter M, Guizetti J. Malaria parasite centrins can assemble by Ca2+-inducible condensation. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011899. [PMID: 38150475 PMCID: PMC10775985 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011899] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Centrins are small calcium-binding proteins that have a variety of roles and are universally associated with eukaryotic centrosomes. Rapid proliferation of the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum in the human blood depends on a particularly divergent and acentriolar centrosome, which incorporates several essential centrins. Their precise mode of action, however, remains unclear. In this study calcium-inducible liquid-liquid phase separation is revealed as an evolutionarily conserved principle of assembly for multiple centrins from P. falciparum and other species. Furthermore, the disordered N-terminus and calcium-binding motifs are defined as essential features for reversible biomolecular condensation, and we demonstrate that certain centrins can form co-condensates. In vivo analysis using live cell STED microscopy shows liquid-like dynamics of centrosomal centrin. Additionally, implementation of an inducible protein overexpression system reveals concentration-dependent formation of extra-centrosomal centrin assemblies with condensate-like properties. The timing of foci formation and dissolution suggests that centrin assembly is regulated. This study thereby provides a new model for centrin accumulation at eukaryotic centrosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannik Voß
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Severina Klaus
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicolas P. Lichti
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Ganter
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julien Guizetti
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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38
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Sahin C, Leppert A, Landreh M. Advances in mass spectrometry to unravel the structure and function of protein condensates. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:3653-3661. [PMID: 37907762 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00900-0] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Membrane-less organelles assemble through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of partially disordered proteins into highly specialized microenvironments. Currently, it is challenging to obtain a clear understanding of the relationship between the structure and function of phase-separated protein assemblies, owing to their size, dynamics and heterogeneity. In this Perspective, we discuss recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS) that offer several promising approaches for the study of protein LLPS. We survey MS tools that have provided valuable insights into other insoluble protein systems, such as amyloids, and describe how they can also be applied to study proteins that undergo LLPS. On the basis of these recent advances, we propose to integrate MS into the experimental workflow for LLPS studies. We identify specific challenges and future opportunities for the analysis of protein condensate structure and function by MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cagla Sahin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet-Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden.
- Structural Biology and NMR laboratory and the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Axel Leppert
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet-Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet-Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden.
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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39
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Basu S, Martínez-Cristóbal P, Frigolé-Vivas M, Pesarrodona M, Lewis M, Szulc E, Bañuelos CA, Sánchez-Zarzalejo C, Bielskutė S, Zhu J, Pombo-García K, Garcia-Cabau C, Zodi L, Dockx H, Smak J, Kaur H, Batlle C, Mateos B, Biesaga M, Escobedo A, Bardia L, Verdaguer X, Ruffoni A, Mawji NR, Wang J, Obst JK, Tam T, Brun-Heath I, Ventura S, Meierhofer D, García J, Robustelli P, Stracker TH, Sadar MD, Riera A, Hnisz D, Salvatella X. Rational optimization of a transcription factor activation domain inhibitor. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1958-1969. [PMID: 38049566 PMCID: PMC10716049 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01159-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors are among the most attractive therapeutic targets but are considered largely 'undruggable' in part due to the intrinsically disordered nature of their activation domains. Here we show that the aromatic character of the activation domain of the androgen receptor, a therapeutic target for castration-resistant prostate cancer, is key for its activity as transcription factor, allowing it to translocate to the nucleus and partition into transcriptional condensates upon activation by androgens. On the basis of our understanding of the interactions stabilizing such condensates and of the structure that the domain adopts upon condensation, we optimized the structure of a small-molecule inhibitor previously identified by phenotypic screening. The optimized compounds had more affinity for their target, inhibited androgen-receptor-dependent transcriptional programs, and had an antitumorigenic effect in models of castration-resistant prostate cancer in cells and in vivo. These results suggest that it is possible to rationally optimize, and potentially even to design, small molecules that target the activation domains of oncogenic transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaon Basu
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paula Martínez-Cristóbal
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Frigolé-Vivas
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Pesarrodona
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Lewis
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elzbieta Szulc
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Adriana Bañuelos
- Genome Sciences, BC Cancer and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Carolina Sánchez-Zarzalejo
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stasė Bielskutė
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jiaqi Zhu
- Dartmouth College, Department of Chemistry, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Karina Pombo-García
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carla Garcia-Cabau
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Levente Zodi
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jordann Smak
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cristina Batlle
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Borja Mateos
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mateusz Biesaga
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Escobedo
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lídia Bardia
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Verdaguer
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alessandro Ruffoni
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nasrin R Mawji
- Genome Sciences, BC Cancer and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jun Wang
- Genome Sciences, BC Cancer and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jon K Obst
- Genome Sciences, BC Cancer and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Teresa Tam
- Genome Sciences, BC Cancer and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Isabelle Brun-Heath
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - David Meierhofer
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Mass Spectrometry Facility, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jesús García
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paul Robustelli
- Dartmouth College, Department of Chemistry, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Travis H Stracker
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marianne D Sadar
- Genome Sciences, BC Cancer and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Antoni Riera
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Denes Hnisz
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Xavier Salvatella
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.
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40
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Yang S, Palmquist KH, Nathan L, Pfeifer CR, Schultheiss PJ, Sharma A, Kam LC, Miller PW, Shyer AE, Rodrigues AR. Morphogens enable interacting supracellular phases that generate organ architecture. Science 2023; 382:eadg5579. [PMID: 37995219 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg5579] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
During vertebrate organogenesis, increases in morphological complexity are tightly coupled to morphogen expression. In this work, we studied how morphogens influence self-organizing processes at the collective or "supra"-cellular scale in avian skin. We made physical measurements across length scales, which revealed morphogen-enabled material property differences that were amplified at supracellular scales in comparison to cellular scales. At the supracellular scale, we found that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) promoted "solidification" of tissues, whereas bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) promoted fluidity and enhanced mechanical activity. Together, these effects created basement membrane-less compartments within mesenchymal tissue that were mechanically primed to drive avian skin tissue budding. Understanding this multiscale process requires the ability to distinguish between proximal effects of morphogens that occur at the cellular scale and their functional effects, which emerge at the supracellular scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sichen Yang
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Karl H Palmquist
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Levy Nathan
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Charlotte R Pfeifer
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Paula J Schultheiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Anurag Sharma
- Electron Microscopy Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lance C Kam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pearson W Miller
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Amy E Shyer
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alan R Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
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41
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He C, Wu CY, Li W, Xu K. Multidimensional Super-Resolution Microscopy Unveils Nanoscale Surface Aggregates in the Aging of FUS Condensates. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:24240-24248. [PMID: 37782826 PMCID: PMC10691933 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomolecules gives rise to condensates that act as membrane-less organelles with vital functions. FUS, an RNA-binding protein, natively forms condensates through LLPS and further provides a model system for the often disease-linked liquid-to-solid transition of biomolecular condensates during aging. However, the mechanism of such maturation processes, as well as the structural and physical properties of the system, remains unclear, partly attributable to difficulties in resolving the internal structures of the micrometer-sized condensates with diffraction-limited optical microscopy. Harnessing a set of multidimensional super-resolution microscopy tools that uniquely map out local physicochemical parameters through single-molecule spectroscopy, here, we uncover nanoscale heterogeneities in FUS condensates and elucidate their evolution over aging. Through spectrally resolved single-molecule localization microscopy (SR-SMLM) with a solvatochromic dye, we unveil distinct hydrophobic nanodomains at the condensate surface. Through SMLM with a fluorogenic amyloid probe, we identify these nanodomains as amyloid aggregates. Through single-molecule displacement/diffusivity mapping (SMdM), we show that such nanoaggregates drastically impede local diffusion. Notably, upon aging or mechanical shears, these nanoaggregates progressively expand on the condensate surface, thus leading to a growing low-diffusivity shell while leaving the condensate interior diffusion-permitting. Together, beyond uncovering fascinating structural arrangements and aging mechanisms in the single-component FUS condensates, the demonstrated synergy of multidimensional super-resolution approaches in this study opens new paths for understanding LLPS systems at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changdong He
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Chun Ying Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Wan Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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42
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Sanfeliu-Cerdán N, Català-Castro F, Mateos B, Garcia-Cabau C, Ribera M, Ruider I, Porta-de-la-Riva M, Canals-Calderón A, Wieser S, Salvatella X, Krieg M. A MEC-2/stomatin condensate liquid-to-solid phase transition controls neuronal mechanotransduction during touch sensing. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1590-1599. [PMID: 37857834 PMCID: PMC10635833 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01247-0] [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: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of work suggests that the material properties of biomolecular condensates ensuing from liquid-liquid phase separation change with time. How this aging process is controlled and whether the condensates with distinct material properties can have different biological functions is currently unknown. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model, we show that MEC-2/stomatin undergoes a rigidity phase transition from fluid-like to solid-like condensates that facilitate transport and mechanotransduction, respectively. This switch is triggered by the interaction between the SH3 domain of UNC-89 (titin/obscurin) and MEC-2. We suggest that this rigidity phase transition has a physiological role in frequency-dependent force transmission in mechanosensitive neurons during body wall touch. Our data demonstrate a function for the liquid and solid phases of MEC-2/stomatin condensates in facilitating transport or mechanotransduction, and a previously unidentified role for titin homologues in neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus Sanfeliu-Cerdán
- ICFO - Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Frederic Català-Castro
- ICFO - Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Borja Mateos
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carla Garcia-Cabau
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Ribera
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iris Ruider
- ICFO - Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Montserrat Porta-de-la-Riva
- ICFO - Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Adrià Canals-Calderón
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefan Wieser
- ICFO - Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Xavier Salvatella
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Michael Krieg
- ICFO - Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain.
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43
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Zhao B, Li Z, Yu S, Li T, Wang W, Liu R, Zhang B, Fang X, Shen Y, Han Q, Xu X, Wang K, Gong W, Li T, Li A, Zhou T, Li W, Li T. LEF1 enhances β-catenin transactivation through IDR-dependent liquid-liquid phase separation. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302118. [PMID: 37657935 PMCID: PMC10474303 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302118] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a crucial role in cancer development, primarily activated by β-catenin forming a transcription complex with LEF/TCF in the nucleus and initiating the transcription of Wnt target genes. Here, we report that LEF1, a member of the LEF/TCF family, can form intrinsically disordered region (IDR)-dependent condensates with β-catenin both in vivo and in vitro, which is required for β-catenin-dependent transcription. Notably, LEF1 with disrupted IDR lost its promoting activity on tumor proliferation and metastasis, which can be restored by substituting with FUS IDR. Our findings provide new insight into the essential role of liquid-liquid phase separation in Wnt/β-catenin signaling and present a potential new target for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Zhao
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoxin Li
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Shaoqing Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Li
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, China
| | - Wen Wang
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Liu
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Biyu Zhang
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Xiya Fang
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Yezhuang Shen
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuying Han
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xin Xu
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, China
| | - Kai Wang
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, China
| | - Weili Gong
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Li
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, China
| | - Ailing Li
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, China
| | - Weihua Li
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Teng Li
- National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, China
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44
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Gu J, Zhou X, Sutherland L, Kato M, Jaczynska K, Rizo J, McKnight SL. Oxidative regulation of TDP-43 self-association by a β-to-α conformational switch. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311416120. [PMID: 37782781 PMCID: PMC10576115 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311416120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
An evolutionarily conserved region of the TDP-43 low-complexity domain (LCD) twenty residues in length can adopt either an α-helical or β-strand conformation. When in the latter conformation, TDP-43 self-associates via the formation of a labile, cross-β structure. Self-association can be monitored via the formation of phase-separated protein droplets. Exposure of droplets to hydrogen peroxide leads to oxidation of conserved methionine residues distributed throughout the LCD. Oxidation disassembles the cross-β structure, thus eliminating both self-association and phase separation. Here, we demonstrate that this process reciprocally enables formation of α-helical structure in precisely the same region formerly functioning to facilitate β-strand-mediated self-association. We further observe that the α-helical conformation allows interaction with a lipid-like detergent and that exposure to lipids enhances the β-to-α conformational switch. We hypothesize that regulation of this oxidative switch will prove to be important to the control of localized translation within vertebrate cells. The experimental observations reported herein were heavily reliant on studies of 1,6-hexanediol, a chemical agent that selectively dissolves labile structures formed via the self-association of protein domains of low sequence complexity. This aliphatic alcohol is shown to exert its dissociative activity primarily via hydrogen-bonding interactions with carbonyl oxygen atoms of the polypeptide backbone. Such observations underscore the central importance of backbone-mediated protein:protein interactions that facilitate the self-association and phase separation of LCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinge Gu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75235
| | - Xiaoming Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75235
| | - Lillian Sutherland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75235
| | - Masato Kato
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75235
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Inage-ku, Chiba263-8555, Japan
| | - Klaudia Jaczynska
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75235
| | - Josep Rizo
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75235
| | - Steven L. McKnight
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75235
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45
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Namitz KEW, Showalter SA, Cosgrove MS. Phase separation promotes a highly active oligomeric scaffold of the MLL1 core complex for regulation of histone H3K4 methylation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105204. [PMID: 37660926 PMCID: PMC10551905 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105204] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzymes that regulate the degree of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation are crucial for proper cellular differentiation and are frequently mutated in cancer. The Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) family of enzymes deposit H3K4 mono-, di-, or trimethylation at distinct genomic locations, requiring precise spatial and temporal control. Despite evidence that the degree of H3K4 methylation is controlled in part by a hierarchical assembly pathway with key subcomplex components, we previously found that the assembled state of the MLL1 core complex is not favored at physiological temperature. To better understand this paradox, we tested the hypothesis that increasing the concentration of subunits in a biomolecular condensate overcomes this thermodynamic barrier via mass action. Here, we demonstrate that MLL1 core complex phase separation stimulates enzymatic activity up to 60-fold but not primarily by concentrating subunits into droplets. Instead, we found that stimulated activity is largely due to the formation of an altered oligomeric scaffold that greatly reduces substrate Km. We posit that phase separation-induced scaffolding of the MLL1 core complex is a potential "switch-like" mechanism for spatiotemporal control of H3K4 methylation through the rapid formation or dissolution of biomolecular condensates within RNA Pol II transcription factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin E W Namitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Scott A Showalter
- Department of Chemistry, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael S Cosgrove
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
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46
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Dragwidge JM, Van Damme D. Protein phase separation in plant membrane biology: more than just a compartmentalization strategy. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:3162-3172. [PMID: 37352127 PMCID: PMC10473209 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The formation of biomolecular condensates through phase separation is an important strategy to compartmentalize cellular functions. While it is now well established that condensates exist throughout eukaryotic cells, how condensates assemble and function on lipid membranes is only beginning to be understood. In this perspective, we highlight work from plant, animal, and yeast model systems showing that condensates assemble on many endomembrane surfaces to carry out diverse functions. In vesicle trafficking, condensation has reported roles in the formation of endocytic vesicles and autophagosomes and in the inactivation of secretory COPII vesicles. We briefly discuss how membranes and membrane lipids regulate the formation and function of membrane-associated condensates. This includes how membranes act as surfaces for condensate assembly, with lipids mediating the nucleation of condensates during endocytosis and other processes. Additionally, membrane-condensate interactions give rise to the biophysical property of "wetting", which has functional importance in shaping autophagosomal and vacuolar membranes. We also speculate on the existence of membrane-associated condensates during cell polarity in plants and discuss how condensation may help to establish functional plasma membrane domains. Lastly, we provide advice on relevant in vitro and in vivo approaches and techniques to study membrane-associated phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Michael Dragwidge
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daniël Van Damme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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47
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Christou-Kent M, Cuartero S, Garcia-Cabau C, Ruehle J, Naderi J, Erber J, Neguembor MV, Plana-Carmona M, Alcoverro-Bertran M, De Andres-Aguayo L, Klonizakis A, Julià-Vilella E, Lynch C, Serrano M, Hnisz D, Salvatella X, Graf T, Stik G. CEBPA phase separation links transcriptional activity and 3D chromatin hubs. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112897. [PMID: 37516962 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell identity is orchestrated through an interplay between transcription factor (TF) action and genome architecture. The mechanisms used by TFs to shape three-dimensional (3D) genome organization remain incompletely understood. Here we present evidence that the lineage-instructive TF CEBPA drives extensive chromatin compartment switching and promotes the formation of long-range chromatin hubs during induced B cell-to-macrophage transdifferentiation. Mechanistically, we find that the intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of CEBPA undergoes in vitro phase separation (PS) dependent on aromatic residues. Both overexpressing B cells and native CEBPA-expressing cell types such as primary granulocyte-macrophage progenitors, liver cells, and trophectoderm cells reveal nuclear CEBPA foci and long-range 3D chromatin hubs at CEBPA-bound regions. In short, we show that CEBPA can undergo PS through its IDR, which may underlie in vivo foci formation and suggest a potential role of PS in regulating CEBPA function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Christou-Kent
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Cuartero
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Spain; Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Carla Garcia-Cabau
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julia Ruehle
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julian Naderi
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestrasse 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Erber
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Victoria Neguembor
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcos Plana-Carmona
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Luisa De Andres-Aguayo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonios Klonizakis
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Cian Lynch
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK
| | - Manuel Serrano
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK
| | - Denes Hnisz
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestrasse 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Xavier Salvatella
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thomas Graf
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Grégoire Stik
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Spain.
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48
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Gu J, Zhou X, Sutherland L, Kato M, Jaczynska K, Rizo J, McKnight SL. Oxidative regulation of TDP-43 self-association by a β-to-α conformational switch. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.29.555361. [PMID: 37693418 PMCID: PMC10491227 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.29.555361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
An evolutionarily conserved region of the TDP-43 low complexity domain twenty residues in length can adopt either an α-helical or β-strand conformation. When in the latter conformation, TDP-43 self-associates via the formation of a labile, cross-β structure. Self-association can be monitored via the formation of phase separated protein droplets. Exposure of droplets to hydrogen peroxide leads to oxidation of conserved methionine residues distributed throughout the low complexity domain. Oxidation disassembles the cross-β structure, thus eliminating both self-association and phase separation. Here we demonstrate that this process reciprocally enables formation of α-helical structure in precisely the same region formerly functioning to facilitate β-strand mediated self-association. We further observe that the α-helical conformation allows interaction with a lipid-like detergent, and that exposure to lipids enhances the β-to-α conformational switch. We hypothesize that regulation of this oxidative switch will prove to be important to the control of localized translation within vertebrate cells. The experimental observations reported herein were heavily reliant on studies of 1,6-hexanediol, a chemical agent that selectively dissolves labile structures formed via the self-association of protein domains of low sequence complexity. This aliphatic alcohol is shown to exert its dissociative activity primarily via hydrogen bonding interactions with carbonyl oxygen atoms of the polypeptide backbone. Such observations underscore the central importance of backbone-mediated protein:protein interactions that facilitate the self-association and phase separation of low complexity domains. Significance Statement The TDP-43 protein is a constituent of RNA granules involved in regulated translation. TDP-43 contains a C-terminal domain of 150 amino acids of low sequence complexity conspicuously decorated with ten methionine residues. An evolutionarily conserved region (ECR) of 20 residues within this domain can adopt either of two forms of labile secondary structure. Under normal conditions wherein methionine residues are reduced, the ECR forms a labile cross-β structure that enables RNA granule condensation. Upon methionine oxidation, the ECR undergoes a conformational switch to become an α-helix incompatible with self-association and granule integrity. Oxidation of the TDP-43 low complexity domain is hypothesized to occur proximal to mitochondria, thus facilitating dissolution of RNA granules and activation of localized translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinge Gu
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235
| | - Xiaoming Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235
| | - Lillian Sutherland
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235
| | - Masato Kato
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, JAPAN 263-8555
| | - Klaudia Jaczynska
- Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235
| | - Josep Rizo
- Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235
| | - Steven L. McKnight
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235
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49
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Guan WL, Jiang LL, Yin XF, Hu HY. PABPN1 aggregation is driven by Ala expansion and poly(A)-RNA binding, leading to CFIm25 sequestration that impairs alternative polyadenylation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105019. [PMID: 37422193 PMCID: PMC10403730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(A)-binding protein nuclear 1 (PABPN1) is an RNA-binding protein localized in nuclear speckles, while its alanine (Ala)-expanded variants accumulate as intranuclear aggregates in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. The factors that drive PABPN1 aggregation and its cellular consequences remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the roles of Ala stretch and poly(A) RNA in the phase transition of PABPN1 using biochemical and molecular cell biology methods. We have revealed that the Ala stretch controls its mobility in nuclear speckles, and Ala expansion leads to aggregation from the dynamic speckles. Poly(A) nucleotide is essential to the early-stage condensation that thereby facilitates speckle formation and transition to solid-like aggregates. Moreover, the PABPN1 aggregates can sequester CFIm25, a component of the pre-mRNA 3'-UTR processing complex, in an mRNA-dependent manner and consequently impair the function of CFIm25 in alternative polyadenylation. In conclusion, our study elucidates a molecular mechanism underlying PABPN1 aggregation and sequestration, which will be beneficial for understanding PABPN1 proteinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Liang Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei-Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Yu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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Flynn AJ, Miller K, Codjoe JM, King MR, Haswell ES. Mechanosensitive ion channels MSL8, MSL9, and MSL10 have environmentally sensitive intrinsically disordered regions with distinct biophysical characteristics in vitro. PLANT DIRECT 2023; 7:e515. [PMID: 37547488 PMCID: PMC10400277 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDRs) are highly dynamic sequences that rapidly sample a collection of conformations over time. In the past several decades, IDRs have emerged as a major component of many proteomes, comprising ~30% of all eukaryotic protein sequences. Proteins with IDRs function in a wide range of biological pathways and are notably enriched in signaling cascades that respond to environmental stresses. Here, we identify and characterize intrinsic disorder in the soluble cytoplasmic N-terminal domains of MSL8, MSL9, and MSL10, three members of the MscS-like (MSL) family of mechanosensitive ion channels. In plants, MSL channels are proposed to mediate cell and organelle osmotic homeostasis. Bioinformatic tools unanimously predicted that the cytosolic N-termini of MSL channels are intrinsically disordered. We examined the N-terminus of MSL10 (MSL10N) as an exemplar of these IDRs and circular dichroism spectroscopy confirms its disorder. MSL10N adopted a predominately helical structure when exposed to the helix-inducing compound trifluoroethanol (TFE). Furthermore, in the presence of molecular crowding agents, MSL10N underwent structural changes and exhibited alterations to its homotypic interaction favorability. Lastly, interrogations of collective behavior via in vitro imaging of condensates indicated that MSL8N, MSL9N, and MSL10N have sharply differing propensities for self-assembly into condensates, both inherently and in response to salt, temperature, and molecular crowding. Taken together, these data establish the N-termini of MSL channels as intrinsically disordered regions with distinct biophysical properties and the potential to respond uniquely to changes in their physiochemical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan J. Flynn
- Department of BiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- NSF Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Department of BiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Kari Miller
- Department of BiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- NSF Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Department of BiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Jennette M. Codjoe
- Department of BiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- NSF Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Department of BiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Matthew R. King
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Elizabeth S. Haswell
- Department of BiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- NSF Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Department of BiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
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