1
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Martin‐Fernandez ML. A perspective of fluorescence microscopy for cellular structural biology with EGFR as witness. J Microsc 2023; 291:73-91. [PMID: 36282005 PMCID: PMC10952613 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13151] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a poster child for the understanding of receptor behaviour, and of paramount importance to cell function and human health. Cloned almost forty years ago, the interest in EGFR's structure/function relationships remains unabated, not least because changes in oncogenic EGFR mutants are key drivers of the formation of lung and brain tumours. The structure of the assemblies formed by EGFR have been comprehensibly investigated by techniques such as high-resolution X-ray crystallography, NMR and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. However, the complexity embedded in the portfolio of EGFR states that are only possible in the physiological environment of cells has often proved refractory to cell-free structural methods. Conversely, some key inroads made by quantitative fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution have depended on exploiting the wealth of structures available. Here, a brief personal perspective is provided on how quantitative fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution methods have cross-fertilised with cell-free-derived EGFR structural information. I primarily discuss areas in which my research group has made a contribution to fill gaps in EGFR's cellular structural biology and towards developing new tools to investigate macromolecular assemblies in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. L. Martin‐Fernandez
- Central Laser FacilityScience and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton LaboratoryDidcotUK
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2
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Abdjan MI, Aminah NS, Kristanti AN, Siswanto I, Ilham B, Wardana AP, Takaya Y. Structure-based approach: molecular insight of pyranocumarins against α-glucosidase through computational studies. RSC Adv 2023; 13:3438-3447. [PMID: 36756595 PMCID: PMC9890569 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra07537g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
α-glucosidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the release of α-glucose molecules through hydrolysis reactions. Regulation of this enzyme can increase sugar levels in type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Pyranocoumarin derivatives have been identified as α-glucosidase inhibitors. Through an in silico approach, this work studied the inhibition of three pyranocoumarin compounds against the α-glucosidase at the molecular level. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were performed to understand the dynamics behavior of pyranocoumarin derivatives against α-glucosidase. The prediction of free binding energy (ΔG bind) using the Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born (QM/MM-GBSA) approach for each system had the following results, PC1-α-Glu: -13.97 kcal mol-1, PC2-α-Glu: -3.69 kcal mol-1, and PC3-α-Glu: -13.68 kcal mol-1. The interaction energy of each system shows that the grid score, ΔG bind, and ΔG exp values had a similar correlation, that was PC1-α-Glu > PC3-α-Glu > PC2-α-Glu. Additionally, the decomposition energy analysis (ΔG residue bind) was carried out to find out the contribution of the key binding residue. The results showed that there were 15 key binding residues responsible for stabilizing pyranocumarin binding with criteria of ΔG residue bind < -1.00 kcal mol-1. The evaluation presented in this work could provide information on the molecular level about the inhibitory efficiency of pyranocoumarin derivatives against a-glucosidase enzyme based on computational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ikhlas Abdjan
- Ph.D. Student of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga Komplek Kampus C UNAIR, Jl. Mulyorejo 60115 Surabaya Indonesia.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya 60115 Indonesia
| | - Nanik Siti Aminah
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya 60115 Indonesia .,Biotechnology of Tropical Medicinal Plants Research Group, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya 60115 Indonesia
| | - Alfinda Novi Kristanti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya 60115 Indonesia .,Biotechnology of Tropical Medicinal Plants Research Group, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya 60115 Indonesia
| | - Imam Siswanto
- Ph.D. Student of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas AirlanggaKomplek Kampus C UNAIR, Jl. Mulyorejo60115SurabayaIndonesia,Bioinformatic Laboratory, UCoE Research Center for Bio-Molecule Engineering Universitas AirlanggaSurabayaIndonesia
| | - Baso Ilham
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya 60115 Indonesia
| | - Andika Pramudya Wardana
- Ph.D. Student of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga Komplek Kampus C UNAIR, Jl. Mulyorejo 60115 Surabaya Indonesia.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya 60115 Indonesia
| | - Yoshiaki Takaya
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University150 Yagotoyama, TempakuNagoya468-8503Japan
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3
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Computationally-guided design and affinity improvement of a protein binder targeting a specific site on HER2. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:1325-1334. [PMID: 33738081 PMCID: PMC7941009 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A protein binder with a desired epitope and binding affinity is critical to the development of therapeutic agents. Here we present computationally-guided design and affinity improvement of a protein binder recognizing a specific site on domain IV of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). As a model, a protein scaffold composed of Leucine-rich repeat (LRR) modules was used. We designed protein binders which appear to bind a target site on domain IV using a computational method. Top 10 designs were expressed and tested with binding assays, and a lead with a low micro-molar binding affinity was selected. Binding affinity of the selected lead was further increased by two-orders of magnitude through mutual feedback between computational and experimental methods. The utility and potential of our approach was demonstrated by determining the binding interface of the developed protein binder through its crystal structure in complex with the HER2 domain IV.
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4
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Azminah A, Erlina L, Radji M, Mun'im A, Syahdi RR, Yanuar A. In silico and in vitro identification of candidate SIRT1 activators from Indonesian medicinal plants compounds database. Comput Biol Chem 2019; 83:107096. [PMID: 31377446 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2019.107096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a class III family of protein histone deacetylases involved in NAD+-dependent deacetylation reactions. It has been suggested that SIRT1 activators may have a protective role against type 2 diabetes, the aging process, and inflammation. This study aimed to explore and identify medicinal plant compounds from Indonesian Herbal Database (HerbalDB) that might potentially become a candidate for SIRT1 activators through a combination of in silico and in vitro methods. Two pharmacophore models were developed using co-crystalized ligands that allosterically bind with SIRT1 similar to the putative ligands used by SIRT1 activators. Then, these were used for the virtual screening of HerbalDB. The identified compounds were subjected to molecular docking and 50 ns molecular dynamics simulation. Molecular dynamics simulation was analyzed using MM-GB(PB)SA methods. The compounds identified by these methods were tested in an in vitro study using a SIRT-Glo™ luminescence assay. Virtual screening using structure-based pharmacophores predicted that mulberrin as the best candidate SIRT1 activator. Virtual screening using ligand-based pharmacophores predicted that gartanin, quinidine, and quinine to be the best candidates as SIRT1 activators. The molecular docking studies showed the important residues involved were Ile223 and Ile227 at the allosteric region. The MM-GB(PB)SA calculations confirmed that mulberrin, gartanin, quinidine, quinine showed activity at allosteric region and their EC50 in vitro values are 2.10; 1.79; 1.71; 1.14 μM, respectively. Based on in silico and in vitro study results, mulberin, gartanin, quinidine, and quinine had good activity as SIRT1 activators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azminah Azminah
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, 16424, Indonesia; Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Surabaya, Surabaya, East Java, 60284, Indonesia
| | - Linda Erlina
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Salemba, Jakarta, 10430, Indonesia
| | - Maksum Radji
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, 16424, Indonesia
| | - Abdul Mun'im
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, 16424, Indonesia
| | - Rezi Riadhi Syahdi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, 16424, Indonesia
| | - Arry Yanuar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, 16424, Indonesia.
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5
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Gocheva G, Ivanova A. A Look at Receptor–Ligand Pairs for Active-Targeting Drug Delivery from Crystallographic and Molecular Dynamics Perspectives. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:3293-3321. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gergana Gocheva
- Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Anela Ivanova
- Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
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6
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Muller MP, Jiang T, Sun C, Lihan M, Pant S, Mahinthichaichan P, Trifan A, Tajkhorshid E. Characterization of Lipid-Protein Interactions and Lipid-Mediated Modulation of Membrane Protein Function through Molecular Simulation. Chem Rev 2019; 119:6086-6161. [PMID: 30978005 PMCID: PMC6506392 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The cellular membrane constitutes one of the most fundamental compartments of a living cell, where key processes such as selective transport of material and exchange of information between the cell and its environment are mediated by proteins that are closely associated with the membrane. The heterogeneity of lipid composition of biological membranes and the effect of lipid molecules on the structure, dynamics, and function of membrane proteins are now widely recognized. Characterization of these functionally important lipid-protein interactions with experimental techniques is however still prohibitively challenging. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations offer a powerful complementary approach with sufficient temporal and spatial resolutions to gain atomic-level structural information and energetics on lipid-protein interactions. In this review, we aim to provide a broad survey of MD simulations focusing on exploring lipid-protein interactions and characterizing lipid-modulated protein structure and dynamics that have been successful in providing novel insight into the mechanism of membrane protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie P. Muller
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
- Department of Biochemistry
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology
- College of Medicine
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Tao Jiang
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
- Department of Biochemistry
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Chang Sun
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
- Department of Biochemistry
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Muyun Lihan
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
- Department of Biochemistry
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Shashank Pant
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
- Department of Biochemistry
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Paween Mahinthichaichan
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
- Department of Biochemistry
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Anda Trifan
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
- Department of Biochemistry
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Emad Tajkhorshid
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
- Department of Biochemistry
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology
- College of Medicine
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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7
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Chavent M, Karia D, Kalli AC, Domański J, Duncan AL, Hedger G, Stansfeld PJ, Seiradake E, Jones EY, Sansom MSP. Interactions of the EphA2 Kinase Domain with PIPs in Membranes: Implications for Receptor Function. Structure 2018; 26:1025-1034.e2. [PMID: 29887500 PMCID: PMC6039763 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
EphA2 is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. Interactions of the cytoplasmic region of EphA2 with the cell membrane are functionally important and yet remain incompletely characterized. Molecular dynamics simulations combined with biochemical studies reveal the interactions of the transmembrane, juxtamembrane (JM), and kinase domains with the membrane. We describe how the kinase domain is oriented relative to the membrane and how the JM region can modulate this interaction. We highlight the role of phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs) in mediating the interaction of the kinase domain with the membrane and, conversely, how positively charged patches at the kinase surface and in the JM region induce the formation of nanoclusters of PIP molecules in the membrane. Integration of these results with those from previous studies enable computational reconstitution of a near complete EphA2 receptor within a membrane, suggesting a role for receptor-lipid interactions in modulation of EphA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Chavent
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Dimple Karia
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Antreas C Kalli
- Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, St James's University Hospital, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Jan Domański
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Anna L Duncan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - George Hedger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Phillip J Stansfeld
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Elena Seiradake
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - E Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Mark S P Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
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8
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Transient Acceleration of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Dynamics Produces Higher-Order Signaling Clusters. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:1386-1401. [PMID: 29505756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Cell signaling depends on spatiotemporally regulated molecular interactions. Although the movements of signaling proteins have been analyzed with various technologies, how spatial dynamics influence the molecular interactions that transduce signals is unclear. Here, we developed a single-molecule method to analyze the spatiotemporal coupling between motility, clustering, and signaling. The analysis was performed with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which triggers signaling through its dimerization and phosphorylation after association with EGF. Our results show that the few EGFRs isolated in membrane subdomains were released by an EGF-dependent increase in their diffusion area, facilitating molecular associations and producing immobile clusters. Using a two-color single-molecule analysis, we found that the EGF-induced state transition alters the properties of the immobile clusters, allowing them to interact for extended periods with the cytoplasmic protein, GRB2. Our study reveals a novel correlation between this molecular interaction and its mesoscale dynamics, providing the initial signaling node.
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9
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Taylor ES, Pol-Fachin L, Lins RD, Lower SK. Conformational stability of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor as influenced by glycosylation, dimerization and EGF hormone binding. Proteins 2017; 85:561-570. [PMID: 28019699 PMCID: PMC5835389 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important transmembrane glycoprotein kinase involved the initiation or perpetuation of signal transduction cascades within cells. These processes occur after EGFR binds to a ligand [epidermal growth factor (EGF)], thus inducing its dimerization and tyrosine autophosphorylation. Previous publications have highlighted the importance of glycosylation and dimerization for promoting proper function of the receptor and conformation in membranes; however, the effects of these associations on the protein conformational stability have not yet been described. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to characterize the conformational preferences of the monomeric and dimeric forms of the EGFR extracellular domain upon binding to EGF in the presence and absence of N-glycan moieties. Structural stability analyses revealed that EGF provides the most conformational stability to EGFR, followed by glycosylation and dimerization, respectively. The findings also support that EGF-EGFR binding takes place through a large-scale induced-fitting mechanism. Proteins 2017; 85:561-570. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Taylor
- Department of Geology, Kent State University, North Canton, Ohio 44720
| | - Laercio Pol-Fachin
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-465, Brazil
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-560, Brazil
| | - Roberto D. Lins
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-465, Brazil
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-560, Brazil
| | - Steven K. Lower
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, Columbus, Ohio 43210
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10
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Lelimousin M, Limongelli V, Sansom MSP. Conformational Changes in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor: Role of the Transmembrane Domain Investigated by Coarse-Grained MetaDynamics Free Energy Calculations. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:10611-22. [PMID: 27459426 PMCID: PMC5010359 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b05602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The epidermal growth
factor receptor (EGFR) is a dimeric membrane
protein that regulates key aspects of cellular function. Activation
of the EGFR is linked to changes in the conformation of the transmembrane
(TM) domain, brought about by changes in interactions of the TM helices
of the membrane lipid bilayer. Using an advanced computational approach
that combines Coarse-Grained molecular dynamics and well-tempered
MetaDynamics (CG-MetaD), we characterize the large-scale motions
of the TM helices, simulating multiple association and dissociation
events between the helices in membrane, thus leading to a free energy
landscape of the dimerization process. The lowest energy state of
the TM domain is a right-handed dimer structure in which the TM helices
interact through the N-terminal small-X3-small sequence
motif. In addition to this state, which is thought to correspond to
the active form of the receptor, we have identified further low-energy
states that allow us to integrate with a high level of detail a range
of previous experimental observations. These conformations may lead
to the active state via two possible activation pathways, which involve
pivoting and rotational motions of the helices, respectively. Molecular
dynamics also reveals correlation between the conformational changes
of the TM domains and of the intracellular juxtamembrane domains,
paving the way for a comprehensive understanding of EGFR signaling
at the cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickaël Lelimousin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford , South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K.,CERMAV, Université Grenoble Alpes and CNRS , BP 53, F-38041 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Faculty of Informatics, Institute of Computational Science - Center for Computational Medicine in Cardiology , via G. Buffi 13, CH-6900 Lugano, Switzerland.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II" , via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mark S P Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford , South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K
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11
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pH dependence of ligand-induced human epidermal growth factor receptor activation investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. J Mol Model 2016; 22:131. [DOI: 10.1007/s00894-016-3000-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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12
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Determining the geometry of oligomers of the human epidermal growth factor family on cells with <10 nm resolution. Biochem Soc Trans 2016; 43:309-14. [PMID: 26009168 DOI: 10.1042/bst20140318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
There is a limited range of methods available to characterize macromolecular organization in cells on length scales from 5-50 nm. We review methods currently available and show the latest results from a new single-molecule localization-based method, fluorophore localization imaging with photobleaching (FLImP), using the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) as an example system. Our measurements show that FLImP is capable of achieving spatial resolution in the order of 6 nm.
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13
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Chavent M, Seiradake E, Jones EY, Sansom MSP. Structures of the EphA2 Receptor at the Membrane: Role of Lipid Interactions. Structure 2016; 24:337-47. [PMID: 26724997 PMCID: PMC4744086 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2015.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ephs are transmembrane receptors that mediate cell-cell signaling. The N-terminal ectodomain binds ligands and enables receptor clustering, which activates the intracellular kinase. Relatively little is known about the function of the membrane-proximal fibronectin domain 2 (FN2) of the ectodomain. Multiscale molecular dynamics simulations reveal that FN2 interacts with lipid bilayers via a site comprising K441, R443, R465, Q462, S464, S491, W467, F490, and P459-461. FN2 preferentially binds anionic lipids, a preference that is reduced in the mutant K441E + R443E. We confirm these results by measuring the binding of wild-type and mutant FN2 domains to lipid vesicles. In simulations of the complete EphA2 ectodomain plus the transmembrane region, we show that FN2 anchors the otherwise flexible ectodomain at the surface of the bilayer. Altogether, our data suggest that FN2 serves a dual function of interacting with anionic lipids and constraining the structure of the EphA2 ectodomain to adopt membrane-proximal configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Chavent
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Elena Seiradake
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - E Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Mark S P Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
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14
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Tynan CJ, Lo Schiavo V, Zanetti-Domingues L, Needham SR, Roberts SK, Hirsch M, Rolfe DJ, Korovesis D, Clarke DT, Martin-Fernandez ML. A tale of the epidermal growth factor receptor: The quest for structural resolution on cells. Methods 2015; 95:86-93. [PMID: 26484734 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The challenge of determining the architecture and geometry of oligomers of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the cell surface has been approached using a variety of biochemical and biophysical methods. This review is intended to provide a narrative of how key concepts in the field of EGFR research have evolved over the years, from the origins of the prevalent EGFR signalling dimer hypothesis through to the development and implementation of methods that are now challenging the conventional view. The synergy between X-ray crystallography and cellular fluorescence microscopy has become particularly important, precisely because the results from these two methods diverged and highlighted the complexity of the challenge. We illustrate how developments in super-resolution microscopy are now bridging this gap. Exciting times lie ahead where knowledge of the nature of the complexes can assist with the development of a new generation of anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Tynan
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Lo Schiavo
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Zanetti-Domingues
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah R Needham
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Selene K Roberts
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hirsch
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J Rolfe
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitrios Korovesis
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - David T Clarke
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Marisa L Martin-Fernandez
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom.
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15
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Valley CC, Arndt-Jovin DJ, Karedla N, Steinkamp MP, Chizhik AI, Hlavacek WS, Wilson BS, Lidke KA, Lidke DS. Enhanced dimerization drives ligand-independent activity of mutant epidermal growth factor receptor in lung cancer. Mol Biol Cell 2015; 26:4087-99. [PMID: 26337388 PMCID: PMC4710239 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e15-05-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor kinase mutations drive oncogenesis, but the molecular mechanism of pathological signal initiation is poorly understood. Using high-resolution microscopy methods, the authors reveal that these kinase mutations induce structural changes in the receptor ectodomain that lead to enhanced, ligand-independent dimerization. Mutations within the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/erbB1/Her1) are often associated with tumorigenesis. In particular, a number of EGFR mutants that demonstrate ligand-independent signaling are common in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including kinase domain mutations L858R (also called L834R) and exon 19 deletions (e.g., ΔL747-P753insS), which collectively make up nearly 90% of mutations in NSCLC. The molecular mechanisms by which these mutations confer constitutive activity remain unresolved. Using multiple subdiffraction-limit imaging modalities, we reveal the altered receptor structure and interaction kinetics of NSCLC-associated EGFR mutants. We applied two-color single quantum dot tracking to quantify receptor dimerization kinetics on living cells and show that, in contrast to wild-type EGFR, mutants are capable of forming stable, ligand-independent dimers. Two-color superresolution localization microscopy confirmed ligand-independent aggregation of EGFR mutants. Live-cell Förster resonance energy transfer measurements revealed that the L858R kinase mutation alters ectodomain structure such that unliganded mutant EGFR adopts an extended, dimerization-competent conformation. Finally, mutation of the putative dimerization arm confirmed a critical role for ectodomain engagement in ligand-independent signaling. These data support a model in which dysregulated activity of NSCLC-associated kinase mutants is driven by coordinated interactions involving both the kinase and extracellular domains that lead to enhanced dimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher C Valley
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research and Treatment Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Donna J Arndt-Jovin
- Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Narain Karedla
- III. Institute of Physics, Georg-August University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mara P Steinkamp
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research and Treatment Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Alexey I Chizhik
- III. Institute of Physics, Georg-August University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - William S Hlavacek
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
| | - Bridget S Wilson
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research and Treatment Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Keith A Lidke
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Diane S Lidke
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research and Treatment Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
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16
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Ramirez UD, Nikonova AS, Liu H, Pecherskaya A, Lawrence SH, Serebriiskii IG, Zhou Y, Robinson MK, Einarson MB, Golemis EA, Jaffe EK. Compounds identified by virtual docking to a tetrameric EGFR extracellular domain can modulate Grb2 internalization. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:436. [PMID: 26016476 PMCID: PMC4451962 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1415-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Overexpression or mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) potently enhances the growth of many solid tumors. Tumor cells frequently display resistance to mechanistically-distinct EGFR-directed therapeutic agents, making it valuable to develop therapeutics that work by additional mechanisms. Current EGFR-targeting therapeutics include antibodies targeting the extracellular domains, and small molecules inhibiting the intracellular kinase domain. Recent studies have identified a novel prone extracellular tetrameric EGFR configuration, which we identify as a potential target for drug discovery. Methods Our focus is on the prone EGFR tetramer, which contains a novel protein-protein interface involving extracellular domain III. This EGFR tetramer is computationally targeted for stabilization by small molecule ligand binding. This study performed virtual screening of a Life Chemicals, Inc. small molecule library of 345,232 drug-like compounds against a molecular dynamics simulation of protein-protein interfaces distinct to the novel tetramer. One hundred nine chemically diverse candidate molecules were selected and evaluated using a cell-based high-content imaging screen that directly assessed induced internalization of the EGFR effector protein Grb2. Positive hits were further evaluated for influence on phosphorylation of EGFR and its effector ERK1/2. Results Fourteen hit compounds affected internalization of Grb2, an adaptor responsive to EGFR activation. Most hits had limited effect on cell viability, and minimally influenced EGFR and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Docked hit compound poses generally include Arg270 or neighboring residues, which are also involved in binding the effective therapeutic cetuximab, guiding further chemical optimization. Conclusions These data suggest that the EGFR tetrameric configuration offers a novel cancer drug target. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1415-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula D Ramirez
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Anna S Nikonova
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Hanqing Liu
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Anna Pecherskaya
- Translational Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Sarah H Lawrence
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Ilya G Serebriiskii
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA. .,Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia.
| | - Yan Zhou
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Matthew K Robinson
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Margret B Einarson
- Translational Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Erica A Golemis
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
| | - Eileen K Jaffe
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
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17
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Webb SED, Hirsch M, Needham SR, Coles BC, Scherer KM, Roberts SK, Zanetti-Domingues LC, Tynan CJ, Martin-Fernandez ML, Rolfe DJ. Nanometric molecular separation measurements by single molecule photobleaching. Methods 2015; 88:76-80. [PMID: 25980369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Although considerable progress has been made in imaging distances in cells below the diffraction limit using FRET and super-resolution microscopy, methods for determining the separation of macromolecules in the 10-50 nm range have been elusive. We have developed fluorophore localisation imaging with photobleaching (FLImP), based on the quantised bleaching of individual protein-bound dye molecules, to quantitate the molecular separations in oligomers and nanoscale clusters. We demonstrate the benefits of using our method in studying the nanometric organisation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E D Webb
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Michael Hirsch
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Sarah R Needham
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Benjamin C Coles
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Kathrin M Scherer
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Selene K Roberts
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Laura C Zanetti-Domingues
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Christopher J Tynan
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Marisa L Martin-Fernandez
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Daniel J Rolfe
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK.
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18
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Structure-function relationships and supramolecular organization of the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) on the cell surface. Biochem Soc Trans 2014; 42:114-9. [PMID: 24450637 DOI: 10.1042/bst20130236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Dimerization and higher-order oligomerization are believed to play an important role in the activation of the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). Understanding of the process has been limited by the lack of availability of suitable methods for the measurement in cells of distances in the range 10-100 nm, too short for imaging methods and too long for spectroscopic methods such as FRET. In the present article, we review the current state of our knowledge of EGFR oligomerization, and describe results from a new single-molecule localization method that has allowed the quantitative characterization of the distribution of EGFR-EGFR distances in cells. Recent data suggest the involvement of cortical actin in regulating the formation of EGFR complexes.
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19
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Exploring the dynamics and interaction of a full ErbB2 receptor and Trastuzumab-Fab antibody in a lipid bilayer model using Martini coarse-grained force field. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2014; 28:1093-107. [DOI: 10.1007/s10822-014-9787-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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20
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Chauvot de Beauchêne I, Allain A, Panel N, Laine E, Trouvé A, Dubreuil P, Tchertanov L. Hotspot mutations in KIT receptor differentially modulate its allosterically coupled conformational dynamics: impact on activation and drug sensitivity. PLoS Comput Biol 2014; 10:e1003749. [PMID: 25079768 PMCID: PMC4117417 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase KIT controls many signal transduction pathways and represents a typical allosterically regulated protein. The mutation-induced deregulation of KIT activity impairs cellular physiological functions and causes serious human diseases. The impact of hotspots mutations (D816H/Y/N/V and V560G/D) localized in crucial regulatory segments, the juxtamembrane region (JMR) and the activation (A-) loop, on KIT internal dynamics was systematically studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The mutational outcomes predicted in silico were correlated with in vitro and in vivo activation rates and drug sensitivities of KIT mutants. The allosteric regulation of KIT in the native and mutated forms is described in terms of communication between the two remote segments, JMR and A-loop. A strong correlation between the communication profile and the structural and dynamical features of KIT in the native and mutated forms was established. Our results provide new insight on the determinants of receptor KIT constitutive activation by mutations and resistance of KIT mutants to inhibitors. Depiction of an intra-molecular component of the communication network constitutes a first step towards an integrated description of vast communication pathways established by KIT in physiopathological contexts. Receptor tyrosine kinase KIT plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell signaling. This allosterically controlled activity may be affected by gain-of-function mutations that promote the development of several cancers. Identification of the molecular basis of KIT constitutive activation and allosteric regulation has inspired computational study of KIT hotspot mutations. In the present contribution, we investigated the mutation-induced effects on KIT conformational dynamics and intra-protein communication conditionally on the mutation location and the nature of the substituting amino acid. Our data elucidate that all studied mutations stabilize an inactive non-autoinhibited state of KIT over the inactive auto-inhibited state prevalent for the native protein. This shift in the protein conformational landscape promotes KIT constitutive activation. Our in silico analysis established correlations between the structural and dynamical effects induced by oncogenic mutations and the mutants auto-activation rates and drug sensitivities measured in vitro and in vivo. Particularly, the A-loop mutations stabilize the drug-resistant forms, while the JMR mutations may facilitate inhibitors binding to the active site. Cross-correlations established between local and long-range structural and dynamical effects demonstrate the allosteric character of the gain-of-function mutations mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaure Chauvot de Beauchêne
- Bioinformatics, Molecular Dynamics & Modeling (BiMoDyM), Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliqués (LBPA-CNRS), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, Cachan, France
| | - Ariane Allain
- Bioinformatics, Molecular Dynamics & Modeling (BiMoDyM), Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliqués (LBPA-CNRS), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, Cachan, France
| | - Nicolas Panel
- Bioinformatics, Molecular Dynamics & Modeling (BiMoDyM), Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliqués (LBPA-CNRS), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, Cachan, France
| | - Elodie Laine
- Bioinformatics, Molecular Dynamics & Modeling (BiMoDyM), Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliqués (LBPA-CNRS), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, Cachan, France
| | - Alain Trouvé
- Centre de Mathématiques et de Leurs Applications (CMLA-CNRS), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, Cachan, France
| | - Patrice Dubreuil
- Inserm, U1068, Signaling, Hematopoiesis and Mechanism of Oncogenesis (CRCM); Institut Paoli-Calmettes; Aix-Marseille University; CNRS, UMR7258, Marseille, France
| | - Luba Tchertanov
- Bioinformatics, Molecular Dynamics & Modeling (BiMoDyM), Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliqués (LBPA-CNRS), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, Cachan, France
- Centre de Mathématiques et de Leurs Applications (CMLA-CNRS), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, Cachan, France
- * E-mail:
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21
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Arkhipov A, Shan Y, Kim ET, Shaw DE. Membrane interaction of bound ligands contributes to the negative binding cooperativity of the EGF receptor. PLoS Comput Biol 2014; 10:e1003742. [PMID: 25058506 PMCID: PMC4109842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a key role in regulating cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, and aberrant EGFR signaling is implicated in a variety of cancers. EGFR signaling is triggered by extracellular ligand binding, which promotes EGFR dimerization and activation. Ligand-binding measurements are consistent with a negatively cooperative model in which the ligand-binding affinity at either binding site in an EGFR dimer is weaker when the other site is occupied by a ligand. This cooperativity is widely believed to be central to the effects of ligand concentration on EGFR-mediated intracellular signaling. Although the extracellular portion of the human EGFR dimer has been resolved crystallographically, the crystal structures do not reveal the structural origin of this negative cooperativity, which has remained unclear. Here we report the results of molecular dynamics simulations suggesting that asymmetrical interactions of the two binding sites with the membrane may be responsible (perhaps along with other factors) for this negative cooperativity. In particular, in our simulations the extracellular domains of an EGFR dimer spontaneously lay down on the membrane in an orientation in which favorable membrane contacts were made with one of the bound ligands, but could not be made with the other. Similar interactions were observed when EGFR was glycosylated, as it is in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Arkhipov
- D. E. Shaw Research, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yibing Shan
- D. E. Shaw Research, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Eric T. Kim
- D. E. Shaw Research, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - David E. Shaw
- D. E. Shaw Research, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
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22
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Poger D, Mark AE. Activation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor: A Series of Twists and Turns. Biochemistry 2014; 53:2710-21. [DOI: 10.1021/bi401632z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Poger
- School
of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alan E. Mark
- School
of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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23
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Roskoski R. The ErbB/HER family of protein-tyrosine kinases and cancer. Pharmacol Res 2013; 79:34-74. [PMID: 24269963 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 890] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family consists of four members that belong to the ErbB lineage of proteins (ErbB1-4). These receptors consist of a glycosylated extracellular domain, a single hydrophobic transmembrane segment, and an intracellular portion with a juxtamembrane segment, a protein kinase domain, and a carboxyterminal tail. Seven ligands bind to EGFR including epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor α, none bind to ErbB2, two bind to ErbB3, and seven ligands bind to ErbB4. The ErbB proteins function as homo and heterodimers. The heterodimer consisting of ErbB2, which lacks a ligand, and ErbB3, which is kinase impaired, is surprisingly the most robust signaling complex of the ErbB family. Growth factor binding to EGFR induces a large conformational change in the extracellular domain, which leads to the exposure of a dimerization arm in domain II of the extracellular segment. Two ligand-EGFR complexes unite to form a back-to-back dimer in which the ligands are on opposite sides of the aggregate. Following ligand binding, EGFR intracellular kinase domains form an asymmetric homodimer that resembles the heterodimer formed by cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase. The carboxyterminal lobe of the activator kinase of the dimer interacts with the amino-terminal lobe of the receiver kinase thereby leading to its allosteric stimulation. Downstream ErbB signaling modules include the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (PKB) pathway, the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK1/2 pathway, and the phospholipase C (PLCγ) pathway. Several malignancies are associated with the mutation or increased expression of members of the ErbB family including lung, breast, stomach, colorectal, head and neck, and pancreatic carcinomas and glioblastoma (a brain tumor). Gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib are orally effective protein-kinase targeted quinazoline derivatives that are used in the treatment of ERBB1-mutant lung cancer. Lapatinib is an orally effective quinazoline derivative used in the treatment of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer. Trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and ado-trastuzumab emtansine, which are given intravenously, are monoclonal antibodies that target the extracellular domain and are used for the treatment of ErbB2-positive breast cancer; ado-trastuzumab emtansine is an antibody-drug conjugate that delivers a cytotoxic drug to cells overexpressing ErbB2. Cetuximab and panitumumab are monoclonal antibodies that target ErbB1 and are used in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Cancers treated with these targeted drugs eventually become resistant to them. The role of combinations of targeted drugs or targeted drugs with cytotoxic therapies is being explored in an effort to prevent or delay drug resistance in the treatment of these malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Roskoski
- Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, 3754 Brevard Road, Suite 116, Box 19, Horse Shoe, NC 28742, USA.
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24
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Loeffler HH, Winn MD. Ligand binding and dynamics of the monomeric epidermal growth factor receptor ectodomain. Proteins 2013; 81:1931-43. [PMID: 23760854 PMCID: PMC4282322 DOI: 10.1002/prot.24339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Revised: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The ectodomain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (hEGFR) controls input to several cell signalling networks via binding with extracellular growth factors. To gain insight into the dynamics and ligand binding of the ectodomain, the hEGFR monomer was subjected to molecular dynamics simulation. The monomer was found to be substantially more flexible than the ectodomain dimer studied previously. Simulations where the endogeneous ligand EGF binds to either Subdomain I or Subdomain III, or where hEGFR is unbound, show significant differences in dynamics. The molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area method has been used to derive relative free energies of ligand binding, and we find that the ligand is capable of binding either subdomain with a slight preference for III. Alanine-scanning calculations for the effect of selected ligand mutants on binding reproduce the trends of affinity measurements. Taken together, these results emphasize the possible role of the ectodomain monomer in the initial step of ligand binding, and add details to the static picture obtained from crystal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes H Loeffler
- Scientific Computing Department, STFC Daresbury, Warrington, WA4 4AD, United Kingdom
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25
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Kozer N, Barua D, Orchard S, Nice EC, Burgess AW, Hlavacek WS, Clayton AH. Exploring higher-order EGFR oligomerisation and phosphorylation--a combined experimental and theoretical approach. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2013; 9:1849-63. [PMID: 23629589 PMCID: PMC3698845 DOI: 10.1039/c3mb70073a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase is generally considered to be activated by either ligand-induced dimerisation or a ligand-induced conformational change within pre-formed dimers. Ligand-induced higher-order EGFR oligomerisation or clustering has been reported but it is not clear how EGFR oligomers, as distinct from EGFR dimers, influence signaling outputs. To address this question, we combined measures of receptor clustering (microscopy; image correlation spectroscopy) and phosphorylation (Western blots) with modelling of mass-action chemical kinetics. A stable BaF/3 cell-line that contains a high proportion (>90%) of inactive dimers of EGFR-eGFP but no secreted ligand and no other detectable ErbB receptors was used as the model cell system. EGF at concentrations of greater than 1 nM was found to cluster EGFR-eGFP dimers into higher-order complexes and cause parallel increases in EGFR phosphorylation. The kinetics of EGFR clustering and phosphorylation were both rapid, plateauing within 2 minutes after stimulation with 30 nM EGF. A rule-based model was formulated to interpret the data. This model took into account ligand binding, ligand-induced conformational changes in the cytosolic tail, monomer-dimer-trimer-tetramer transitions via ectodomain- and kinase-mediated interactions, and phosphorylation. The model predicts that cyclic EGFR tetramers are the predominant phosphorylated species, in which activated receptor dimers adopt a cyclic side-by-side orientation, and that receptor kinase activation is stabilised by the intramolecular interactions responsible for cyclic tetramerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Kozer
- Centre for Micro-Photonics, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
| | - Dipak Barua
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Theoretical Division & Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - Suzanne Orchard
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Parkville Branch, PO Box 2008, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Eduoard C. Nice
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Parkville Branch, PO Box 2008, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria 3050, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3080, Australia
| | - Antony W. Burgess
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Parkville Branch, PO Box 2008, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - William S. Hlavacek
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Theoretical Division & Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - Andrew H.A. Clayton
- Centre for Micro-Photonics, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
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26
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Arkhipov A, Shan Y, Das R, Endres NF, Eastwood MP, Wemmer DE, Kuriyan J, Shaw DE. Architecture and membrane interactions of the EGF receptor. Cell 2013; 152:557-69. [PMID: 23374350 PMCID: PMC3680629 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 360] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Revised: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Dimerization-driven activation of the intracellular kinase domains of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) upon extracellular ligand binding is crucial to cellular pathways regulating proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Inactive EGFR can exist as both monomers and dimers, suggesting that the mechanism regulating EGFR activity may be subtle. The membrane itself may play a role but creates substantial difficulties for structural studies. Our molecular dynamics simulations of membrane-embedded EGFR suggest that, in ligand-bound dimers, the extracellular domains assume conformations favoring dimerization of the transmembrane helices near their N termini, dimerization of the juxtamembrane segments, and formation of asymmetric (active) kinase dimers. In ligand-free dimers, by holding apart the N termini of the transmembrane helices, the extracellular domains instead favor C-terminal dimerization of the transmembrane helices, juxtamembrane segment dissociation and membrane burial, and formation of symmetric (inactive) kinase dimers. Electrostatic interactions of EGFR's intracellular module with the membrane are critical in maintaining this coupling.
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27
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张 泳. Progress in Structural and Computational Studies of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2013. [DOI: 10.12677/biphy.2013.11002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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28
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Structural modelling and dynamics of proteins for insights into drug interactions. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2012; 64:323-43. [PMID: 22155026 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2011.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Revised: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Proteins are the workhorses of biomolecules and their function is affected by their structure and their structural rearrangements during ligand entry, ligand binding and protein-protein interactions. Hence, the knowledge of protein structure and, importantly, the dynamic behaviour of the structure are critical for understanding how the protein performs its function. The predictions of the structure and the dynamic behaviour can be performed by combinations of structure modelling and molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations also need to be sensitive to the constraints of the environment in which the protein resides. Standard computational methods now exist in this field to support the experimental effort of solving protein structures. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the basis of the calculations and the well-established computational methods used to generate and understand protein structure and function and the study of their dynamic behaviour with the reference to lung-related targets.
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Du Y, Yang H, Xu Y, Cang X, Luo C, Mao Y, Wang Y, Qin G, Luo X, Jiang H. Conformational transition and energy landscape of ErbB4 activated by neuregulin1β: one microsecond molecular dynamics simulations. J Am Chem Soc 2012; 134:6720-31. [PMID: 22316159 DOI: 10.1021/ja211941d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
ErbB4, a receptor tyrosine kinase of the ErbB family, plays crucial roles in cell growth and differentiation, especially in the development of the heart and nervous system. Ligand binding to its extracellular region could modulate the activation process. To understand the mechanism of ErbB4 activation induced by ligand binding, we performed one microsecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the ErbB4 extracellular region (ECR) with and without its endogenous ligand neuregulin1β (NRG1β). The conformational transition of the ECR-ErbB4/NRG1β complex from a tethered inactive conformation to an extended active-like form has been observed, while such large and function-related conformational change has not been seen in the simulation on the ECR-ErbB4, suggesting that ligand binding is indeed the active inducing force for the conformational transition and further dimerization. On the basis of MD simulations and principal component analysis, we constructed a rough energy landscape for the conformational transition of ECR-ErbB4/NRG1β complex, suggesting that the conformational change from the inactive state to active-like state involves a stable conformation. The energy barrier for the tether opening was estimated as ~2.7 kcal/mol, which is very close to the experimental value (1-2 kcal/mol) reported for ErbB1. On the basis of the simulation results, an atomic mechanism for the ligand-induced activation of ErbB4 was postulated. The present MD simulations provide a new insight into the conformational changes underlying the activation of ErbB4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Du
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1) aligned on the plasma membrane adopts key features of Drosophila EGFR asymmetry. Biochem Soc Trans 2012; 40:184-8. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20110692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Current models suggest that ligand-binding heterogeneity in HER1 [human EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor] arises from negative co-operativity in signalling HER1 dimers, for which the asymmetry of the extracellular region of the Drosophila EGFR has recently provided a structural basis. However, no asymmetry is apparent in the current crystal structure of the isolated extracellular region of HER1. This receptor also differs from the Drosophila EGFR in that negative co-operativity is found only in full-length receptors in cells. Structural insights into HER1 in epithelial cells, derived from FLIM (fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy) and two-dimensional FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer) combined with Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, have demonstrated a high-affinity ligand-binding HER1 conformation consistent with the extracellular region aligned flat on the plasma membrane. This conformation shares key features with that of the Drosophila EGFR, suggesting that the structural basis for negative co-operativity is conserved from invertebrates to humans, but that, in HER1, the extracellular region asymmetry requires interactions with the plasma membrane.
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31
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Investigating extracellular in situ EGFR structure and conformational changes using FRET microscopy. Biochem Soc Trans 2012; 40:189-94. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20110632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The crystallographic structures of functional fragments of ErbBs have provided excellent insights into the geometry of growth factor binding and receptor dimerization. By placing together receptor fragments to build structural models of entire receptors, we expect to understand how these enzymes are allosterically regulated; however, several predictions from these models are inconsistent with experimental evidence from cells. The opening of this gap underlines the need to investigate intact ErbBs by combining cellular and structural studies into a full picture.
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Schick U, Gujral DM, Richards TM, Harrington KJ, Nutting CM. Zalutumumab in head and neck cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011; 12:119-25. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2012.643864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Kozer N, Henderson C, Jackson JT, Nice EC, Burgess AW, Clayton AHA. Evidence for extended YFP-EGFR dimers in the absence of ligand on the surface of living cells. Phys Biol 2011; 8:066002. [PMID: 21946082 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/8/6/066002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the erbB tyrosine kinase family of receptors. Structural studies have revealed two distinct conformations of the ectodomain of the EGFR: a compact, tethered, conformation and an untethered extended conformation. In the context of a monomer-dimer transition model, ligand binding is thought to untether the monomeric receptor leading to exposure of a dimerization arm which then facilitates receptor dimerization, kinase activation and signaling. For receptors directed orthogonal to the local plane of the membrane surface, this would lead to a large change in the distance of the receptor N-terminus from the membrane surface. To investigate this experimentally, we produced stable BaF/3 cell lines expressing a biochemically functional yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-EGFR chimera and determined the vertical separation of the N-terminal YFP tag from the membrane using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques. Homo-FRET/rFLIM was employed to determine the presence of unliganded dimers and to measure the average distance between the N-terminal tags in those dimers. The results suggest that EGF-induced activation occurs within or between pre-formed and extended dimers with very little change in the extension of the N-terminii from the membrane surface. These results provide constraints on possible models for EGFR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Kozer
- Centre for Microphotonics, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria, Australia
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Clarke DT, Botchway SW, Coles BC, Needham SR, Roberts SK, Rolfe DJ, Tynan CJ, Ward AD, Webb SED, Yadav R, Zanetti-Domingues L, Martin-Fernandez ML. Optics clustered to output unique solutions: a multi-laser facility for combined single molecule and ensemble microscopy. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2011; 82:093705. [PMID: 21974592 DOI: 10.1063/1.3635536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Optics clustered to output unique solutions (OCTOPUS) is a microscopy platform that combines single molecule and ensemble imaging methodologies. A novel aspect of OCTOPUS is its laser excitation system, which consists of a central core of interlocked continuous wave and pulsed laser sources, launched into optical fibres and linked via laser combiners. Fibres are plugged into wall-mounted patch panels that reach microscopy end-stations in adjacent rooms. This allows multiple tailor-made combinations of laser colours and time characteristics to be shared by different end-stations minimising the need for laser duplications. This setup brings significant benefits in terms of cost effectiveness, ease of operation, and user safety. The modular nature of OCTOPUS also facilitates the addition of new techniques as required, allowing the use of existing lasers in new microscopes while retaining the ability to run the established parts of the facility. To date, techniques interlinked are multi-photon/multicolour confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging for several modalities of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and time-resolved anisotropy, total internal reflection fluorescence, single molecule imaging of single pair FRET, single molecule fluorescence polarisation, particle tracking, and optical tweezers. Here, we use a well-studied system, the epidermal growth factor receptor network, to illustrate how OCTOPUS can aid in the investigation of complex biological phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Clarke
- Science and Technology Facilities Council, Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
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Laine E, Chauvot de Beauchêne I, Perahia D, Auclair C, Tchertanov L. Mutation D816V alters the internal structure and dynamics of c-KIT receptor cytoplasmic region: implications for dimerization and activation mechanisms. PLoS Comput Biol 2011; 7:e1002068. [PMID: 21698178 PMCID: PMC3116893 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2010] [Accepted: 04/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The type III receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) KIT plays a crucial role in the transmission of cellular signals through phosphorylation events that are associated with a switching of the protein conformation between inactive and active states. D816V KIT mutation is associated with various pathologies including mastocytosis and cancers. D816V-mutated KIT is constitutively active, and resistant to treatment with the anti-cancer drug Imatinib. To elucidate the activating molecular mechanism of this mutation, we applied a multi-approach procedure combining molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, normal modes analysis (NMA) and binding site prediction. Multiple 50-ns MD simulations of wild-type KIT and its mutant D816V were recorded using the inactive auto-inhibited structure of the protein, characteristic of type III RTKs. Computed free energy differences enabled us to quantify the impact of D816V on protein stability in the inactive state. We evidenced a local structural alteration of the activation loop (A-loop) upon mutation, and a long-range structural re-organization of the juxta-membrane region (JMR) followed by a weakening of the interaction network with the kinase domain. A thorough normal mode analysis of several MD conformations led to a plausible molecular rationale to propose that JMR is able to depart its auto-inhibitory position more easily in the mutant than in wild-type KIT and is thus able to promote kinase mutant dimerization without the need for extra-cellular ligand binding. Pocket detection at the surface of NMA-displaced conformations finally revealed that detachment of JMR from the kinase domain in the mutant was sufficient to open an access to the catalytic and substrate binding sites. Protein kinases are involved in a huge amount of cellular processes through phosphorylation, a crucial mechanism in cell signaling, and their misregulation often results in disease. The deactivation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) or their oncogenic activation arises from mutations which affect the protein primary structure and the configuration of the enzymatic site apparently by stabilizing the activation loop (A-loop) extended conformation. Particularly, mutation D816V of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) KIT, found in patients with pediatric mastocytosis, acute leukemia or germ cell tumors, can be considered as the archetype of mutation inducing a displacement of the population equilibrium toward the active conformation. We present a comprehensive computational study of the activating mechanism(s) of this mutation. Our multi-approach in silico procedure evidenced a local alteration of the A-loop structure, and a long-range structural re-organization of the juxta-membrane region (JMR) followed by a weakening of the interaction network with the kinase domain. Our results provided a plausible conception of how the observed departure of JMR from kinase domain in the mutant promotes kinase mutant dimerization without requiring extra-cellular ligand binding. The pocket profiles we obtained suggested putative allosteric binding sites that could be targeted by ligands/modulators that trap the mutated enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Laine
- LBPA, CNRS - ENS de Cachan, Cachan, France
- * E-mail: (EL); (LT)
| | | | | | | | - Luba Tchertanov
- LBPA, CNRS - ENS de Cachan, Cachan, France
- * E-mail: (EL); (LT)
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Fuentes G, Scaltriti M, Baselga J, Verma CS. Synergy between trastuzumab and pertuzumab for human epidermal growth factor 2 (Her2) from colocalization: an in silico based mechanism. Breast Cancer Res 2011; 13:R54. [PMID: 21600050 PMCID: PMC3218942 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2010] [Revised: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 05/22/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human epidermal growth factor 2 (Her2), a receptor tyrosine kinase, is overexpressed in breast cancers. It has been successfully targeted by small molecule kinase inhibitors and by antibodies. Recent clinical data show a synergistic response in patients when two antibodies, trastuzumab and pertuzumab, are given in combination. Methods This unexpected effect is rationalized through computer models and molecular dynamic simulations by hypothesizing that the two antibodies can co-localize on the same molecule of the Her2 extracellular domain. Results Simulations suggest that the clinical synergism observed for the two antibodies arises partly from enhanced affinity that originates in cooperative interactions between these two antibodies when they are co-localized on Her2 and "clamp" it; this may inhibit dimerization and possibly higher oligomerizations with neighboring receptors. In the presence of trastuzumab, the receptor becomes highly plastic, especially domains I to III, and this appears to promote increased association with pertuzumab. Further, the presence of pertuzumab evokes novel interactions between the receptor and trastuzumab. Indeed, splicing out of this region in silico results in a big reduction in the interactions of the antibody with the receptor. Conclusions If validated, these findings will bring about a new direction in the design of antibodies whereby different epitopes on the same antibody may be targeted to lead to synergistic/cooperative inhibition and contribute to generate more potent therapeutics and to increase clinical efficacy.
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Human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) aligned on the plasma membrane adopts key features of Drosophila EGFR asymmetry. Mol Cell Biol 2011; 31:2241-52. [PMID: 21444717 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01431-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to control cell fate is defined by its affinity for ligand. Current models suggest that ligand-binding heterogeneity arises from negative cooperativity in signaling receptor dimers, for which the asymmetry of the extracellular region of the Drosophila EGFR has recently provided a structural basis. However, no asymmetry is apparent in the isolated extracellular region of the human EGFR. Human EGFR also differs from the Drosophila EGFR in that negative cooperativity is found only in full-length receptors in cells. To gain structural insights into the human EGFR in situ, we developed an approach based on quantitative Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging, combined with Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, to probe receptor conformation in epithelial cells. We experimentally demonstrate a high-affinity ligand-binding human EGFR conformation consistent with the extracellular region aligned flat on the plasma membrane. We explored the relevance of this conformation to ligand-binding heterogeneity and found that the asymmetry of this structure shares key features with that of the Drosophila EGFR, suggesting that the structural basis for negative cooperativity is conserved from invertebrates to humans but that in human EGFR the extracellular region asymmetry requires interactions with the plasma membrane.
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Adak S, DeAndrade D, Pike LJ. The tethering arm of the EGF receptor is required for negative cooperativity and signal transduction. J Biol Chem 2010; 286:1545-55. [PMID: 21047778 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.182899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The EGF receptor is a classical receptor-tyrosine kinase. In the absence of ligand, the receptor adopts a closed conformation in which the dimerization arm of subdomain II interacts with the tethering arm in subdomain IV. Following the binding of EGF, the receptor opens to form a symmetric, back-to-back dimer. Although it is clear that the dimerization arm of subdomain II is central to the formation of receptor dimers, the role of the tethering arm of subdomain IV (residues 561-585) in this configuration is not known. Here we use (125)I-EGF binding studies to assess the functional role of the tethering arm in the EGF receptor dimer. Mutation of the three major residues that contribute to tethering (D563A,H566A,K585A-EGF receptor) did not significantly alter either the ligand binding properties or the signaling properties of the EGF receptor. By contrast, breaking the Cys(558)-Cys(567) disulfide bond through double alanine replacements or deleting the loop entirely led to a decrease in the negative cooperativity in EGF binding and was associated with small changes in downstream signaling. Deletion of the Cys(571)-Cys(593) disulfide bond abrogated cooperativity, resulting in a high affinity receptor and increased sensitivity of downstream signaling pathways to EGF. Releasing the Cys(571)-Cys(593) disulfide bond resulted in extreme negative cooperativity, ligand-independent kinase activity, and impaired downstream signaling. These data demonstrate that the tethering arm plays an important role in supporting cooperativity in ligand binding. Because cooperativity implies subunit-subunit interactions, these results also suggest that the tethering arm contributes to intersubunit interactions within the EGF receptor dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Adak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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Grant BJ, Gorfe AA, McCammon JA. Large conformational changes in proteins: signaling and other functions. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2010; 20:142-7. [PMID: 20060708 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2009.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Revised: 12/10/2009] [Accepted: 12/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Guanine and adenine nucleotide triphosphatases, such as Ras proteins and protein kinases, undergo large conformational changes upon ligand binding in the course of their functions. New computer simulation methods have combined with experimental studies to deepen our understanding of these phenomena. In particular, a 'conformational selection' picture is emerging, where alterations in the relative populations of pre-existing conformations can best describe the conformational switching activity of these important proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry J Grant
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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