1
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Bender J, Kundlacz T, Rudden LSP, Frick M, Bieber J, Degiacomi MT, Schmidt C. Ca 2+-dependent lipid preferences shape synaptotagmin-1 C2A and C2B dynamics: Insights from experiments and simulations. Structure 2024:S0969-2126(24)00280-6. [PMID: 39173623 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.07.017] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Signal transmission between neurons requires exocytosis of neurotransmitters from the lumen of synaptic vesicles into the synaptic cleft. Following an influx of Ca2+, this process is facilitated by the Ca2+ sensor synaptotagmin-1. The underlying mechanisms involve electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions tuning the lipid preferences of the two C2 domains of synaptotagmin-1; however, the details are still controversially discussed. We, therefore, follow a multidisciplinary approach and characterize lipid and membrane binding of the isolated C2A and C2B domains. We first target interactions with individual lipid species, and then study interactions with model membranes of liposomes. Finally, we perform molecular dynamics simulations to unravel differences in membrane binding. We found that both C2 domains, as a response to Ca2+, insert into the lipid membrane; however, C2A adopts a more perpendicular orientation while C2B remains parallel. These findings allow us to propose a mechanism for synaptotagmin-1 during membrane fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Bender
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Til Kundlacz
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, 06120 Halle, Germany; Institute of Chemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Lucas S P Rudden
- Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Melissa Frick
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Julia Bieber
- Department of Chemistry - Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Matteo T Degiacomi
- Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Carla Schmidt
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, 06120 Halle, Germany; Department of Chemistry - Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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2
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Lu C, Zhao L, Tian L, Lin C, Wu L. Antidepressant advantage of Chaihushugan san in female mice: A novel signaling mechanism in hippocampus. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 335:118627. [PMID: 39053711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCY Chaihushugan san (CSS), a classic formula for soothing the liver and relieving depression, has been identified to produce rapid antidepressant-like effects in female mice. However, the gender predominance and underlying mechanisms of CSS's antidepressant remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY In this study, we focused on unraveling the gender predominance of CSS in antidepressant and the specific neuronal mechanisms that mediate this predominance. METHODS AND MATERIALS Tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST) and sucrose preference test (SPT) were used to evaluate depressive phenotypes or antidepressant-like effects of CSS in female and male chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice model. RNA-sequencing was used to screen specific target for CSS antidepressant gender dominance. RT-PCR and elisa were used to detect the expressions of specific molecule, hormones, and inflammatory factors in the hippocampus. hippocampal viral overactivation and pharmacological blockade were used to detect the correlation between CSS antidepressant gender dominance and related targets. RESULTS In the present study, both female and male mice displayed depressive phenotypes including significant increasing immobility time in TST and reducing sucrose preference ratio in SPT after exposing CUMS for 3 weeks. However, acute administration of CSS (2, 4 g/kg) improved the depressive phenotypes only in female mice or not male mice at 2 h later. Moreover, the expressions of TC2N were increased only in female mice after exposing CUMS for 3 weeks, which were also reversed by CSS after a single administration 2 h later, but no alterations in male mice. The hippocampal expressions of estrogen receptor β (Erβ), pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10, TGF-β and IL-1Rα) were all abnormal in female CUMS mice model, which were all normalized by CSS. Furthermore, overactivation of hippocampal TC2N by AAV-TC2N+/+ blocked the antidepressant-like effects of CSS and the up-regulation of hippocampal Erβ in female mice. However, inhibition of Erβ blunted the antidepressant-like effects of CSS and CSS's suppression of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β and TNF-α), which had no any effect on hippocampal TC2N and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10 and TGF-β). CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that CSS had antidepressant superiority in female mice depending on inhibiting hippocampal TC2N and then activating Erβ, further inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory factors to produce antidepressant effects, which provided a basis for the guidance of CSS in clinical application, new ideas and targets for the development of drugs for depression with gender differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Lu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Lingang Zhao
- Nanjing Liuhe District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211599, China
| | - Liyuan Tian
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Chenguang Lin
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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3
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Lim PC, Yap BK, Tay YJ, Hanapi NA, Yusof SR, Lee CY. Discovery of aurones bearing two amine functionalities as SHIP2 inhibitors with insulin-sensitizing effect in rat myotubes. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:2179-2195. [PMID: 38911152 PMCID: PMC11187551 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00360d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological inhibition of the SH2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2) by small-molecule compounds presents an attractive approach to modulate insulin sensitivity. Few drug-like SHIP2 inhibitors have been discovered to date. A series of aurones incorporating key motifs from known SHIP2 inhibitors were synthesized and evaluated for SHIP2-inhibiting activity against a recombinant SHIP2 protein in vitro. Three aurones that inhibited SHIP2 at 15-50 μM were identified. These aurone inhibitors required two amine functionalities, one at ring A and a second at ring B for good inhibitory activity as exemplified by 12a. Mechanistically, molecular dynamics simulations revealed 12a to preferably bind to an allosteric site, restricting the motion of the flexible L4 loop required for SHIP2 phosphatase activity. Additionally, a basic piperidine moiety of 12a interacted with an aspartate residue proximal to the site. At 20-40 μM, 12a significantly enhanced glucose uptake in rat myotubes via increased Akt phosphorylation. 12a showed good permeability across the Caco-2 cell monolayer supporting the aurone chemotype as a new lead to develop drug-like, oral insulin sensitizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phei Ching Lim
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Minden 11800 Penang Malaysia +604 653 4086
| | - Beow Keat Yap
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Minden 11800 Penang Malaysia +604 653 4086
| | - Yi Juin Tay
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Minden 11800 Penang Malaysia +604 653 4086
| | - Nur Aziah Hanapi
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia Minden 11800 Penang Malaysia
| | - Siti Rafidah Yusof
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia Minden 11800 Penang Malaysia
| | - Chong-Yew Lee
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Minden 11800 Penang Malaysia +604 653 4086
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4
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Alavizargar A, Gass M, Krahn MP, Heuer A. Elucidating the Membrane Binding Process of a Disordered Protein: Dynamic Interplay of Anionic Lipids and the Polybasic Region. ACS PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY AU 2024; 4:167-179. [PMID: 38560754 PMCID: PMC10979486 DOI: 10.1021/acsphyschemau.3c00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered regions of proteins are responsible for many biological processes such as in the case of liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-a serine/threonine kinase relevant for cell proliferation and cell polarity. LKB1 becomes fully activated upon recruitment to the plasma membrane by binding of its disordered C-terminal polybasic motif consisting of eight lysines/arginines to phospholipids. Here, we present extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the polybasic motif interacting with a model membrane composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleyl phosphatidic acid (PA) and cell culture experiments. Protein-membrane binding effects are due to the electrostatic interactions between the polybasic amino acids and PAs. For significant binding, the first three lysines turn out to be dispensable, which was also recapitulated in cell culture using transfected GFP-LKB1 variants. LKB1-membrane binding results in nonmonotonous changes in the structure of the protein as well as the membrane, in particular, accumulation of PAs and reduced thickness at the protein-membrane contact area. The protein-lipid binding turns out to be highly dynamic due to an interplay of PA-PA repulsion and protein-PA attraction. The thermodynamics of this interplay is captured by a statistical fluctuation model, which allows the estimation of both energies. Quantification of the significance of each polar amino acid in the polybasic provides detailed insights into the molecular mechanism of protein-membrane binding of LKB1. These results can likely be transferred to other proteins, which interact by intrinsically disordered polybasic regions with anionic membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Alavizargar
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 28/30, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Maximilian Gass
- Medical
Cell Biology, Medical Clinic D, University
Hospital of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1-A14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Michael P. Krahn
- Medical
Cell Biology, Medical Clinic D, University
Hospital of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1-A14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Heuer
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 28/30, 48149 Münster, Germany
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5
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Kervin TA, Overduin M. Membranes are functionalized by a proteolipid code. BMC Biol 2024; 22:46. [PMID: 38414038 PMCID: PMC10898092 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01849-6] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Membranes are protein and lipid structures that surround cells and other biological compartments. We present a conceptual model wherein all membranes are organized into structural and functional zones. The assembly of zones such as receptor clusters, protein-coated pits, lamellipodia, cell junctions, and membrane fusion sites is explained to occur through a protein-lipid code. This challenges the theory that lipids sort proteins after forming stable membrane subregions independently of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy A Kervin
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Michael Overduin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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6
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Larsen AH. Understanding cytokinesis interaction by interaction. Structure 2024; 32:120-121. [PMID: 38306987 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.01.001] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
In this issue of Structure, Hall et al.1 investigate the binding modes of anillin-like Mid1. During cytokinesis, Mid1 connects the contractile ring to the plasma membrane. Using computer simulations, the authors demonstrated how this connection is established via the L3 loop of the C2 domain.
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7
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Hall AR, Choi YK, Im W, Vavylonis D. Anillin-related Mid1 as an adaptive and multimodal contractile ring anchoring protein: A simulation study. Structure 2024; 32:242-252.e2. [PMID: 38103546 PMCID: PMC10872332 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Cytokinesis of animal and fungi cells depends crucially on the anillin scaffold proteins. Fission yeast anillin-related Mid1 anchors cytokinetic ring precursor nodes to the membrane. However, it is unclear if both of its Pleckstrin Homology (PH) and C2 C-terminal domains bind to the membrane as monomers or dimers, and if one domain plays a dominant role. We studied Mid1 membrane binding with all-atom molecular dynamics near a membrane with yeast-like lipid composition. In simulations with the full C terminal region started away from the membrane, Mid1 binds through the disordered L3 loop of C2 in a vertical orientation, with the PH away from the membrane. However, a configuration with both C2 and PH initially bound to the membrane remains associated with the membrane. Simulations of C2-PH dimers show extensive asymmetric membrane contacts. These multiple modes of binding may reflect Mid1's multiple interactions with membranes, node proteins, and ability to sustain mechanical forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R Hall
- Department of Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18017, USA
| | - Yeol Kyo Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18017, USA
| | - Wonpil Im
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18017, USA
| | - Dimitrios Vavylonis
- Department of Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18017, USA; Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY 10010, USA.
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8
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Chon NL, Tran S, Miller CS, Lin H, Knight JD. A conserved electrostatic membrane-binding surface in synaptotagmin-like proteins revealed using molecular phylogenetic analysis and homology modeling. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4850. [PMID: 38038838 PMCID: PMC10731544 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4850] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Protein structure prediction has emerged as a core technology for understanding biomolecules and their interactions. Here, we combine homology-based structure prediction with molecular phylogenetic analysis to study the evolution of electrostatic membrane binding among the vertebrate synaptotagmin-like protein (Slp) family. Slp family proteins play key roles in the membrane trafficking of large dense-core secretory vesicles. Our previous experimental and computational study found that the C2A domain of Slp-4 (also called granuphilin) binds with high affinity to anionic phospholipids in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane through a large positively charged protein surface centered on a cluster of phosphoinositide-binding lysine residues. Because this surface contributes greatly to Slp-4 C2A domain membrane binding, we hypothesized that the net charge on the surface might be evolutionarily conserved. To test this hypothesis, the known C2A sequences of Slp-4 among vertebrates were organized by class (from mammalia to pisces) using molecular phylogenetic analysis. Consensus sequences for each class were then identified and used to generate homology structures, from which Poisson-Boltzmann electrostatic potentials were calculated. For comparison, homology structures and electrostatic potentials were also calculated for the five human Slp protein family members. The results demonstrate that the charge on the membrane-binding surface is highly conserved throughout the evolution of Slp-4, and more highly conserved than many individual residues among the human Slp family paralogs. Such molecular phylogenetic-driven computational analysis can help to describe the evolution of electrostatic interactions between proteins and membranes which are crucial for their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara L. Chon
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Colorado DenverDenverColoradoUSA
| | - Sherleen Tran
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Colorado DenverDenverColoradoUSA
| | | | - Hai Lin
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Colorado DenverDenverColoradoUSA
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9
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Frankel EB, Tiroumalechetty A, Henry PS, Su Z, Wu Y, Kurshan PT. Protein-lipid interactions drive presynaptic assembly upstream of cell adhesion molecules. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.17.567618. [PMID: 38014115 PMCID: PMC10680821 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.17.567618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Textbook models of synaptogenesis position cell adhesion molecules such as neurexin as initiators of synapse assembly. Here we discover a mechanism for presynaptic assembly that occurs prior to neurexin recruitment, while supporting a role for neurexin in synapse maintenance. We find that the cytosolic active zone scaffold SYD-1 interacts with membrane phospholipids to promote active zone protein clustering at the plasma membrane, and subsequently recruits neurexin to stabilize those clusters. Employing molecular dynamics simulations to model intrinsic interactions between SYD-1 and lipid bilayers followed by in vivo tests of these predictions, we find that PIP2-interacting residues in SYD-1's C2 and PDZ domains are redundantly necessary for proper active zone assembly. Finally, we propose that the uncharacterized yet evolutionarily conserved short γ isoform of neurexin represents a minimal neurexin sequence that can stabilize previously assembled presynaptic clusters, potentially a core function of this critical protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa B Frankel
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
| | | | - Parise S Henry
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Zhaoqian Su
- Data Science Institute, Vanderbilt University, 1001 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN, 37212
| | - Yinghao Wu
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Peri T Kurshan
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
- Lead Contact
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10
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Papadourakis M, Sinenka H, Matricon P, Hénin J, Brannigan G, Pérez-Benito L, Pande V, van Vlijmen H, de Graaf C, Deflorian F, Tresadern G, Cecchini M, Cournia Z. Alchemical Free Energy Calculations on Membrane-Associated Proteins. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:7437-7458. [PMID: 37902715 PMCID: PMC11017255 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00365] [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: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins have diverse functions within cells and are well-established drug targets. The advances in membrane protein structural biology have revealed drug and lipid binding sites on membrane proteins, while computational methods such as molecular simulations can resolve the thermodynamic basis of these interactions. Particularly, alchemical free energy calculations have shown promise in the calculation of reliable and reproducible binding free energies of protein-ligand and protein-lipid complexes in membrane-associated systems. In this review, we present an overview of representative alchemical free energy studies on G-protein-coupled receptors, ion channels, transporters as well as protein-lipid interactions, with emphasis on best practices and critical aspects of running these simulations. Additionally, we analyze challenges and successes when running alchemical free energy calculations on membrane-associated proteins. Finally, we highlight the value of alchemical free energy calculations calculations in drug discovery and their applicability in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail Papadourakis
- Biomedical
Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Hryhory Sinenka
- Institut
de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, F-67083 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Pierre Matricon
- Sosei
Heptares, Steinmetz Building,
Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6DG, United
Kingdom
| | - Jérôme Hénin
- Laboratoire
de Biochimie Théorique UPR 9080, CNRS and Université Paris Cité, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Grace Brannigan
- Center
for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University−Camden, Camden, New Jersey 08103, United States of America
- Department
of Physics, Rutgers University−Camden, Camden, New Jersey 08102, United States
of America
| | - Laura Pérez-Benito
- CADD,
In Silico Discovery, Janssen Research &
Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Vineet Pande
- CADD,
In Silico Discovery, Janssen Research &
Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Herman van Vlijmen
- CADD,
In Silico Discovery, Janssen Research &
Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Chris de Graaf
- Sosei
Heptares, Steinmetz Building,
Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6DG, United
Kingdom
| | - Francesca Deflorian
- Sosei
Heptares, Steinmetz Building,
Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6DG, United
Kingdom
| | - Gary Tresadern
- CADD,
In Silico Discovery, Janssen Research &
Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Marco Cecchini
- Institut
de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, F-67083 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Zoe Cournia
- Biomedical
Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
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11
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Chon NL, Tran S, Miller CS, Lin H, Knight JD. A Conserved Electrostatic Membrane-Binding Surface in Synaptotagmin-Like Proteins Revealed Using Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis and Homology Modeling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.13.548768. [PMID: 37502952 PMCID: PMC10369986 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.13.548768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Protein structure prediction has emerged as a core technology for understanding biomolecules and their interactions. Here, we combine homology-based structure prediction with molecular phylogenetic analysis to study the evolution of electrostatic membrane binding among vertebrate synaptotagmin-like proteins (Slps). Slp family proteins play key roles in the membrane trafficking of large dense-core secretory vesicles. Our previous experimental and computational study found that the C2A domain of Slp-4 (also called granuphilin) binds with high affinity to anionic phospholipids in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane through a large positively charged protein surface centered on a cluster of phosphoinositide-binding lysine residues. Because this surface contributes greatly to Slp-4 C2A domain membrane binding, we hypothesized that the net charge on the surface might be evolutionarily conserved. To test this hypothesis, the known C2A sequences of Slp-4 among vertebrates were organized by class (from mammalia to pisces) using molecular phylogenetic analysis. Consensus sequences for each class were then identified and used to generate homology structures, from which Poisson-Boltzmann electrostatic potentials were calculated. For comparison, homology structures and electrostatic potentials were also calculated for the five human Slp protein family members. The results demonstrate that the charge on the membrane-binding surface is highly conserved throughout the evolution of Slp-4, and more highly conserved than many individual residues among the human Slp family paralogs. Such molecular phylogenetic-driven computational analysis can help to describe the evolution of electrostatic interactions between proteins and membranes which are crucial for their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara L. Chon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver
| | - Sherleen Tran
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver
| | | | - Hai Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver
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12
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John LH, Naughton FB, Sansom MSP, Larsen AH. The Role of C2 Domains in Two Different Phosphatases: PTEN and SHIP2. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:408. [PMID: 37103835 PMCID: PMC10146288 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13040408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and SH2-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2) are structurally and functionally similar. They both consist of a phosphatase (Ptase) domain and an adjacent C2 domain, and both proteins dephosphorylate phosphoinositol-tri(3,4,5)phosphate, PI(3,4,5)P3; PTEN at the 3-phophate and SHIP2 at the 5-phosphate. Therefore, they play pivotal roles in the PI3K/Akt pathway. Here, we investigate the role of the C2 domain in membrane interactions of PTEN and SHIP2, using molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations. It is generally accepted that for PTEN, the C2 domain interacts strongly with anionic lipids and therefore significantly contributes to membrane recruitment. In contrast, for the C2 domain in SHIP2, we previously found much weaker binding affinity for anionic membranes. Our simulations confirm the membrane anchor role of the C2 domain in PTEN, as well as its necessity for the Ptase domain in gaining its productive membrane-binding conformation. In contrast, we identified that the C2 domain in SHIP2 undertakes neither of these roles, which are generally proposed for C2 domains. Our data support a model in which the main role of the C2 domain in SHIP2 is to introduce allosteric interdomain changes that enhance catalytic activity of the Ptase domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura H. John
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Fiona B. Naughton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Mark S. P. Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Andreas Haahr Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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13
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Prakash S, Krishna A, Sengupta D. Cofilin-Membrane Interactions: Electrostatic Effects in Phosphoinositide Lipid Binding. Chemphyschem 2023; 24:e202200509. [PMID: 36200760 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202200509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton interacts with the cell membrane primarily through the indirect interactions of actin-binding proteins such as cofilin-1. The molecular mechanisms underlying the specific interactions of cofilin-1 with membrane lipids are still unclear. Here, we performed coarse-grain molecular dynamics simulations of cofilin-1 with complex lipid bilayers to analyze the specificity of protein-lipid interactions. We observed the maximal interactions with phosphoinositide (PIP) lipids, especially PIP2 and PIP3 lipids. A good match was observed between the residues predicted to interact and previous experimental studies. The clustering of PIP lipids around the membrane bound protein leads to an overall lipid demixing and gives rise to persistent membrane curvature. Further, through a series of control simulations, we observe that both electrostatics and geometry are critical for specificity of lipid binding. Our current study is a step towards understanding the physico-chemical basis of cofilin-PIP lipid interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Prakash
- CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Anjali Krishna
- CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India.,Current Address: School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Durba Sengupta
- CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India
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14
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Hall AR, Choi YK, Im W, Vavylonis D. Anillin Related Mid1 as an Adaptive and Multimodal Contractile Ring Anchoring Protein: A Simulation Study. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.27.525865. [PMID: 36747616 PMCID: PMC9900988 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.27.525865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The organization of the cytokinetic ring at the cell equator of dividing animal and fungi cells depends crucially on the anillin scaffold proteins. In fission yeast, anillin related Mid1 binds to the plasma membrane and helps anchor and organize a medial broad band of cytokinetic nodes, which are the precursors of the contractile ring. Similar to other anillins, Mid1 contains a C terminal globular domain with two potential regions for membrane binding, the Pleckstrin Homology (PH) and C2 domains, and an N terminal intrinsically disordered region that is strongly regulated by phosphorylation. Previous studies have shown that both PH and C2 domains can associate with the membrane, preferring phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) lipids. However, it is unclear if they can simultaneously bind to the membrane in a way that allows dimerization or oligomerization of Mid1, and if one domain plays a dominant role. To elucidate Mid1's membrane binding mechanism, we used the available structural information of the C terminal region of Mid1 in all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) near a membrane with a lipid composition based on experimental measurements (including PIP 2 lipids). The disordered L3 loop of C2, as well as the PH domain, separately bind the membrane through charged lipid contacts. In simulations with the full C terminal region started away from the membrane, Mid1 binds through the L3 loop and is stabilized in a vertical orientation with the PH domain away from the membrane. However, a configuration with both C2 and PH initially bound to the membrane remains associated with the membrane. These multiple modes of binding may reflect Mid1's multiple interactions with membranes and other node proteins, and ability to sustain mechanical forces.
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15
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Meng Y, Sanlidag S, Jensen SA, Burnap SA, Struwe WB, Larsen AH, Feng X, Mittal S, Sansom MSP, Sahlgren C, Handford PA. An N-glycan on the C2 domain of JAGGED1 is important for Notch activation. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabo3507. [PMID: 36219682 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abo3507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The canonical members of the Jagged/Serrate and Delta families of transmembrane ligands have an extracellular, amino-terminal C2 domain that binds to phospholipids and is required for optimal activation of the Notch receptor. Somatic mutations that cause amino substitutions in the C2 domain in human JAGGED1 (JAG1) have been identified in tumors. We found in reporter cell assays that mutations affecting an N-glycosylation site reduced the ligand's ability to activate Notch. This N-glycosylation site located in the C2 domain is conserved in the Jagged/Serrate family but is lacking in the Delta family. Site-specific glycan analysis of the JAG1 amino terminus demonstrated that occupancy of this site by either a complex-type or high-mannose N-glycan was required for full Notch activation in reporter cell assays. Similarly to JAG1 variants with defects in Notch binding, N-glycan removal, either by mutagenesis of the glycosylation site or by endoglycosidase treatment, reduced receptor activation. The N-glycan variants also reduced receptor activation in a Notch signaling-dependent vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation assay. Loss of the C2 N-glycan reduced JAG1 binding to liposomes to a similar extent as the loss of the entire C2 domain. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the presence of the N-glycan limits the orientation of JAG1 relative to the membrane, thus facilitating Notch binding. These data are consistent with a critical role for the N-glycan in promoting a lipid-binding conformation that is required to orient Jagged at the cell membrane for full Notch activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Meng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Sami Sanlidag
- Faculty for Science and Engineering, Biosciences, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Turku Bioscience Centre, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Sacha A Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Sean A Burnap
- Kavli Institute for NanoScience Discovery and Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Weston B Struwe
- Kavli Institute for NanoScience Discovery and Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andreas H Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Xinyi Feng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Shruti Mittal
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Mark S P Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Cecilia Sahlgren
- Faculty for Science and Engineering, Biosciences, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Turku Bioscience Centre, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Penny A Handford
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
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16
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Larsen AH. Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Curved Lipid Membranes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8098. [PMID: 35897670 PMCID: PMC9331392 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells contain membranes with various curvatures, from the near-plane plasma membrane to the highly curved membranes of organelles, vesicles, and membrane protrusions. These curvatures are generated and sustained by curvature-inducing proteins, peptides, and lipids, and describing these mechanisms is an important scientific challenge. In addition to that, some molecules can sense membrane curvature and thereby be trafficked to specific locations. The description of curvature sensing is another fundamental challenge. Curved lipid membranes and their interplay with membrane-associated proteins can be investigated with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Various methods for simulating curved membranes with MD are discussed here, including tools for setting up simulation of vesicles and methods for sustaining membrane curvature. The latter are divided into methods that exploit scaffolding virtual beads, methods that use curvature-inducing molecules, and methods applying virtual forces. The variety of simulation tools allow researcher to closely match the conditions of experimental studies of membrane curvatures.
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17
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Le Huray KIP, Wang H, Sobott F, Kalli AC. Systematic simulation of the interactions of pleckstrin homology domains with membranes. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn6992. [PMID: 35857458 PMCID: PMC9258823 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn6992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pleckstrin homology (PH) domains can recruit proteins to membranes by recognition of phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) lipids. Several family members are linked to diseases including cancer. We report the systematic simulation of the interactions of 100 mammalian PH domains with PIP-containing membranes. The observed PIP interaction hotspots recapitulate crystallographic binding sites and reveal a number of insights: (i) The β1 and β2 strands and their connecting loop constitute the primary PIP interaction site but are typically supplemented by interactions at the β3-β4 and β5-β6 loops; (ii) we reveal exceptional cases such as the Exoc8 PH domain; (iii) PH domains adopt different membrane-bound orientations and induce clustering of anionic lipids; and (iv) beyond family-level insights, our dataset sheds new light on individual PH domains, e.g., by providing molecular detail of secondary PIP binding sites. This work provides a global view of PH domain/membrane association involving multivalent association with anionic lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle I. P. Le Huray
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - He Wang
- School of Computing, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Frank Sobott
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Antreas C. Kalli
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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18
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Larsen A, John L, Sansom M, Corey R. Specific interactions of peripheral membrane proteins with lipids: what can molecular simulations show us? Biosci Rep 2022; 42:BSR20211406. [PMID: 35297484 PMCID: PMC9008707 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral membrane proteins (PMPs) can reversibly and specifically bind to biological membranes to carry out functions such as cell signalling, enzymatic activity, or membrane remodelling. Structures of these proteins and of their lipid-binding domains are typically solved in a soluble form, sometimes with a lipid or lipid headgroup at the binding site. To provide a detailed molecular view of PMP interactions with the membrane, computational methods such as molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can be applied. Here, we outline recent attempts to characterise these binding interactions, focusing on both intracellular proteins, such as phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP)-binding domains, and extracellular proteins such as glycolipid-binding bacterial exotoxins. We compare methods used to identify and analyse lipid-binding sites from simulation data and highlight recent work characterising the energetics of these interactions using free energy calculations. We describe how improvements in methodologies and computing power will help MD simulations to continue to contribute to this field in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura H. John
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K
| | | | - Robin A. Corey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K
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19
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Larsen AH, Tata L, John LH, Sansom MSP. Membrane-binding mechanism of the EEA1 FYVE domain revealed by multi-scale molecular dynamics simulations. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008807. [PMID: 34555023 PMCID: PMC8491906 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Early Endosomal Antigen 1 (EEA1) is a key protein in endosomal trafficking and is implicated in both autoimmune and neurological diseases. The C-terminal FYVE domain of EEA1 binds endosomal membranes, which contain phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI(3)P). Although it is known that FYVE binds PI(3)P specifically, it has not previously been described of how FYVE attaches and binds to endosomal membranes. In this study, we employed both coarse-grained (CG) and atomistic (AT) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to determine how FYVE binds to PI(3)P-containing membranes. CG-MD showed that the dominant membrane binding mode resembles the crystal structure of EEA1 FYVE domain in complex with inositol-1,3-diphospate (PDB ID 1JOC). FYVE, which is a homodimer, binds the membrane via a hinge mechanism, where the C-terminus of one monomer first attaches to the membrane, followed by the C-terminus of the other monomer. The estimated total binding energy is ~70 kJ/mol, of which 50-60 kJ/mol stems from specific PI(3)P-interactions. By AT-MD, we could partition the binding mode into two types: (i) adhesion by electrostatic FYVE-PI(3)P interaction, and (ii) insertion of amphipathic loops. The AT simulations also demonstrated flexibility within the FYVE homodimer between the C-terminal heads and coiled-coil stem. This leads to a dynamic model whereby the 200 nm long coiled coil attached to the FYVE domain dimer can amplify local hinge-bending motions such that the Rab5-binding domain at the other end of the coiled coil can explore an area of 0.1 μm2 in the search for a second endosome with which to interact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lilya Tata
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Laura H. John
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mark S. P. Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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