Mapping protein structural changes by quantitative cross-linking

Developing a Targeted Quantitative Strategy for Sulfoxide-Containing MS-Cleavable Cross-Linked Peptides to Probe Conformational Dynamics of Protein Complexes

In recent years, cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) has made enormous strides as a technology for probing protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and elucidating architectures of multisubunit assemblies. To define conformational and interaction dynamics of protein complexes under different physiological conditions, various quantitative cross-linking mass spectrometry (QXL-MS) strategies based on stable isotope labeling have been developed. These QXL-MS approaches have effectively allowed comparative analysis of cross-links to determine their relative abundance changes at global scales. Although successful, it remains challenging to consistently obtain quantitative measurements on low-abundant cross-links. Therefore, targeted QXL-MS is needed to enable MS "Western" analysis of cross-links to enhance sensitivity and reliability in quantitation. To this end, we have established a robust parallel reaction monitoring (PRM)-based targeted QXL-MS platform using sulfoxide-containing MS-cleavable cross-linker disuccinimidyl sulfoxide (DSSO), permitting label-free comparative analysis of selected cross-links across multiple samples. In addition, we have applied this methodology to study phosphorylation-dependent conformational dynamics of the human 26S proteasome. The PRM-based targeted QXL-MS analytical platform described here is applicable for all sulfoxide-containing MS-cleavable cross-linkers and can be directly adopted for comparative studies of protein-protein interactions in various cellular contexts.

Leveraging crosslinking mass spectrometry in structural and cell biology

Crosslinking mass spectrometry (crosslinking-MS) is a versatile tool providing structural insights into protein conformation and protein-protein interactions. Its medium-resolution residue-residue distance restraints have been used to validate protein structures proposed by other methods and have helped derive models of protein complexes by integrative structural biology approaches. The use of crosslinking-MS in integrative approaches is underpinned by progress in estimating error rates in crosslinking-MS data and in combining these data with other information. The flexible and high-throughput nature of crosslinking-MS has allowed it to complement the ongoing resolution revolution in electron microscopy by providing system-wide residue-residue distance restraints, especially for flexible regions or systems. Here, we review how crosslinking-MS information has been leveraged in structural model validation and integrative modeling. Crosslinking-MS has also been a key technology for cell biology studies and structural systems biology where, in conjunction with cryoelectron tomography, it can provide structural and mechanistic insights directly in situ.

14-3-3-protein regulates Nedd4-2 by modulating interactions between HECT and WW domains

Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated 4 ligase (Nedd4-2) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets proteins for ubiquitination and endocytosis, thereby regulating numerous ion channels, membrane receptors and tumor suppressors. Nedd4-2 activity is regulated by autoinhibition, calcium binding, oxidative stress, substrate binding, phosphorylation and 14-3-3 protein binding. However, the structural basis of 14-3-3-mediated Nedd4-2 regulation remains poorly understood. Here, we combined several techniques of integrative structural biology to characterize Nedd4-2 and its complex with 14-3-3. We demonstrate that phosphorylated Ser³⁴² and Ser⁴⁴⁸ are the key residues that facilitate 14-3-3 protein binding to Nedd4-2 and that 14-3-3 protein binding induces a structural rearrangement of Nedd4-2 by inhibiting interactions between its structured domains. Overall, our findings provide the structural glimpse into the 14-3-3-mediated Nedd4-2 regulation and highlight the potential of the Nedd4-2:14-3-3 complex as a pharmacological target for Nedd4-2-associated diseases such as hypertension, epilepsy, kidney disease and cancer.

Pohl et al. investigated the structural basis of Nedd4-2 regulation by 14-3-3 and found that phosphorylated Ser342 and Ser448 are the main residues that facilitate 14-3-3 binding to Nedd4-2. The authors propose that the Nedd4-2:14-3-3 complex then stimulates a structural rearrangement of Nedd4-2 through inhibiting interaction of its structured domains.

Interfaces with Structure Dynamics of the Workhorses from Cells Revealed through Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry (CLMS)

The fundamentals of how protein-protein/RNA/DNA interactions influence the structures and functions of the workhorses from the cells have been well documented in the 20th century. A diverse set of methods exist to determine such interactions between different components, particularly, the mass spectrometry (MS) methods, with its advanced instrumentation, has become a significant approach to analyze a diverse range of biomolecules, as well as bring insights to their biomolecular processes. This review highlights the principal role of chemistry in MS-based structural proteomics approaches, with a particular focus on the chemical cross-linking of protein-protein/DNA/RNA complexes. In addition, we discuss different methods to prepare the cross-linked samples for MS analysis and tools to identify cross-linked peptides. Cross-linking mass spectrometry (CLMS) holds promise to identify interaction sites in larger and more complex biological systems. The typical CLMS workflow allows for the measurement of the proximity in three-dimensional space of amino acids, identifying proteins in direct contact with DNA or RNA, and it provides information on the folds of proteins as well as their topology in the complexes. Principal CLMS applications, its notable successes, as well as common pipelines that bridge proteomics, molecular biology, structural systems biology, and interactomics are outlined.

SAP domain forms a flexible part of DNA aperture in Ku70/80

Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) is a DNA repair mechanism that religates double-strand DNA breaks to maintain genomic integrity during the entire cell cycle. The Ku70/80 complex recognizes DNA breaks and serves as an essential hub for recruitment of NHEJ components. Here, we describe intramolecular interactions of the Ku70 C-terminal domain, known as the SAP domain. Using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, mass spectrometric analysis of intermolecular cross-linking and molecular modelling simulations, we captured variable positions of the SAP domain depending on DNA binding. The first position was localized at the DNA aperture in the Ku70/80 apo form but was not observed in the DNA-bound state. The second position, which was observed in both apo and DNA-bound states, was found below the DNA aperture, close to the helical arm of Ku70. The localization of the SAP domain in the DNA aperture suggests a function as a flexible entry gate for broken DNA. DATABASES: EM maps have been deposited in EMDB (EMD-11933). Coordinates have been deposited in Protein Data Bank (PDB 7AXZ). Other data are available from corresponding authors upon a request.

Motif orientation matters: Structural characterization of TEAD1 recognition of genomic DNA

TEAD transcription factors regulate gene expression through interactions with DNA and other proteins. They are crucial for the development of eukaryotic organisms and to control the expression of genes involved mostly in cell proliferation and differentiation; however, their deregulation can lead to tumorigenesis. To study the interactions of TEAD1 with M-CAT motifs and their inverted versions, the K_D of each complex was determined, and H/D exchange, quantitative chemical cross-linking, molecular docking, and smFRET were utilized for structural characterization. ChIP-qPCR was employed to correlate the results with a cell line model. The results obtained showed that although the inverted motif has 10× higher K_D, the same residues were affected by the presence of M-CAT in both orientations. Molecular docking and smFRET revealed that TEAD1 binds the inverted motif rotated 180°. In addition, the inverted motif was proven to be occupied by TEAD1 in Jurkat cells, suggesting that the low-affinity binding sites present in the human genome may possess biological relevance.

Natural Killer Cell Activation Receptor NKp30 Oligomerization Depends on Its N-Glycosylation

NKp30 is one of the main human natural killer (NK) cell activating receptors used in directed immunotherapy. The oligomerization of the NKp30 ligand binding domain depends on the length of the C-terminal stalk region, but our structural knowledge of NKp30 oligomerization and its role in signal transduction remains limited. Moreover, ligand binding of NKp30 is affected by the presence and type of N-glycosylation. In this study, we assessed whether NKp30 oligomerization depends on its N-glycosylation. Our results show that NKp30 forms oligomers when expressed in HEK293S GnTI^- cell lines with simple N-glycans. However, NKp30 was detected only as monomers after enzymatic deglycosylation. Furthermore, we characterized the interaction between NKp30 and its best-studied cognate ligand, B7-H6, with respect to glycosylation and oligomerization, and we solved the crystal structure of this complex with glycosylated NKp30, revealing a new glycosylation-induced mode of NKp30 dimerization. Overall, this study provides new insights into the structural basis of NKp30 oligomerization and explains how the stalk region and glycosylation of NKp30 affect its ligand affinity. This furthers our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in NK cell activation, which is crucial for the successful design of novel NK cell-based targeted immunotherapeutics.

MS-Based Approaches Enable the Structural Characterization of Transcription Factor/DNA Response Element Complex

The limited information available on the structure of complexes involving transcription factors and cognate DNA response elements represents a major obstacle in the quest to understand their mechanism of action at the molecular level. We implemented a concerted structural proteomics approach, which combined hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX), quantitative protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid cross-linking (XL), and homology analysis, to model the structure of the complex between the full-length DNA binding domain (DBD) of Forkhead box protein O4 (FOXO4) and its DNA binding element (DBE). The results confirmed that FOXO4-DBD assumes the characteristic forkhead topology shared by these types of transcription factors, but its binding mode differs significantly from those of other members of the family. The results showed that the binding interaction stabilized regions that were rather flexible and disordered in the unbound form. Surprisingly, the conformational effects were not limited only to the interface between bound components, but extended also to distal regions that may be essential to recruiting additional factors to the transcription machinery. In addition to providing valuable new insights into the binding mechanism, this project provided an excellent evaluation of the merits of structural proteomics approaches in the investigation of systems that are not directly amenable to traditional high-resolution techniques.

Quantitative cross-linking/mass spectrometry to elucidate structural changes in proteins and their complexes

Quantitative cross-linking/mass spectrometry (QCLMS/QXL-MS) probes structural changes of proteins in solution. This method has revealed induced conformational changes, composition shifts in conformational ensembles and changes in protein interactions. It illuminates different structural states of proteins or protein complexes by comparing which residue pairs can be cross-linked in these states. Cross-links provide information about structural changes that may be inaccessible by alternative technologies. Small local conformational changes affect relative abundances of nearby cross-links, whereas larger conformational changes cause new cross-links to be formed. Distinguishing between minor and major changes requires a robust analysis based on carefully selected replicates and, when using isotope-labeled cross-linkers, replicated analysis with a permutated isotope-labeling scheme. A label-free workflow allows for application of a wide range of cross-linking chemistries and enables parallel comparison of multiple conformations. In this protocol, we demonstrate both label-free and isotope-labeled cross-linker-based workflows using the cross-linker bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate (BS3). The software XiSearch, developed by our group, is used to identify cross-linked residue pairs, although the workflow is not limited to this search software. The open-access software Skyline is used for automated quantitation. Note that additional manual correction greatly enhances quantitation accuracy. The protocol has been applied to purified multi-protein complexes but is not necessarily limited to that level of sample complexity. Optimizing the cross-linker/protein ratio and fractionating peptides increase the data density of quantified cross-links, and thus the resolution of QCLMS. The entire procedure takes ~1-3 weeks.

Data-independent Acquisition Improves Quantitative Cross-linking Mass Spectrometry

Quantitative cross-linking mass spectrometry (QCLMS) reveals structural detail on altered protein states in solution. On its way to becoming a routine technology, QCLMS could benefit from data-independent acquisition (DIA), which generally enables greater reproducibility than data-dependent acquisition (DDA) and increased throughput over targeted methods. Therefore, here we introduce DIA to QCLMS by extending a widely used DIA software, Spectronaut, to also accommodate cross-link data. A mixture of seven proteins cross-linked with bis[sulfosuccinimidyl] suberate (BS3) was used to evaluate this workflow. Out of the 414 identified unique residue pairs, 292 (70%) were quantifiable across triplicates with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 10%, with manual correction of peak selection and boundaries for PSMs in the lower quartile of individual CV values. This compares favorably to DDA where we quantified cross-links across triplicates with a CV of 66%, for a single protein. We found DIA-QCLMS to be capable of detecting changing abundances of cross-linked peptides in complex mixtures, despite the ratio compression encountered when increasing sample complexity through the addition of E. coli cell lysate as matrix. In conclusion, the DIA software Spectronaut can now be used in cross-linking and DIA is indeed able to improve QCLMS.

Protein Dynamics in Solution by Quantitative Crosslinking/Mass Spectrometry

The dynamics of protein structures and their interactions are responsible for many cellular processes. The rearrangements and interactions of proteins, which are often transient, occur in solution and may require a biological environment that is difficult to maintain in traditional structural biological approaches. Quantitative crosslinking/mass spectrometry (QCLMS) has emerged as an excellent method to fill this gap. Numerous recent applications of the technique have demonstrated that protein dynamics can now be studied in solution at sufficient resolution to gain valuable biological insights, suggesting that extending these investigations to native environments is possible. These breakthroughs have been based on the maturation of CLMS at large, and its recent fusion with quantitative proteomics. We provide here an overview of the current state of the technique, the available workflows and their applications, and remaining challenges.

In-solution dynamics of protein structures and their interactions can be studied by QCLMS.

Successful applications of QCLMS provide insights into multiple different biological processes.

Recent advances in QCLMS allow analyses in the context of native cellular environments, including living cells.

Alternative workflows allow researchers to tailor the analysis to their biological question.

Progress in data processing now offers this technique to researchers with limited initial expertise in crosslinking and quantitative proteomics.

Chemical cross-linking with mass spectrometry: a tool for systems structural biology

Biological processes supporting life are orchestrated by a highly dynamic array of protein structures and interactions comprising the interactome. Defining the interactome, visualizing how structures and interactions change and function to support life is essential to improved understanding of fundamental molecular processes, but represents a challenge unmet by any single analytical technique. Chemical cross-linking with mass spectrometry provides identification of proximal amino acid residues within proteins and protein complexes, yielding low resolution structural information. This approach has predominantly been employed to provide structural insight on isolated protein complexes, and has been particularly useful for molecules that are recalcitrant to conventional structural biology studies. Here we discuss recent developments in cross-linking and mass spectrometry technologies that are providing large-scale or systems-level interactome data with successful applications to isolated organelles, cell lysates, virus particles, intact bacterial and mammalian cultured cells and tissue samples.

XPlex: An Effective, Multiplex Cross-Linking Chemistry for Acidic Residues

Cross-linking/Mass spectrometry (XLMS) is a consolidated technique for structural characterization of proteins and protein complexes. Despite its success, the cross-linking chemistry currently used is mostly based on N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters, which react primarily with lysine residues. One way to expand the current applicability of XLMS into several new areas is to increase the number of cross-links obtainable for a target protein. We introduce a multiplex chemistry (denoted XPlex) that targets Asp, Glu, Lys, and Ser residues. XPlex can generate significantly more cross-links with reactions occurring at lower temperatures and enables targeting proteins that are not possible with NHS ester-based cross-linkers. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in model proteins as well as a target Lys-poor protein, SalBIII. Identification of XPlex spectra requires a search engine capable of simultaneously considering multiple cross-linkers on the same run; to achieve this, we updated the SIM-XL search algorithm with a search mode tailored toward XPlex. In summary, we present a complete chemistry/computational solution for significantly increasing the number of possible distance constraints by mass spectrometry experiments, and thus, we are convinced that XPlex poses as a real complementary approach for structural proteomics studies.

On the Reproducibility of Label-Free Quantitative Cross-Linking/Mass Spectrometry

Quantitative cross-linking/mass spectrometry (QCLMS) is an emerging approach to study conformational changes of proteins and multi-subunit complexes. Distinguishing protein conformations requires reproducibly identifying and quantifying cross-linked peptides. Here we analyzed the variation between multiple cross-linking reactions using bis[sulfosuccinimidyl] suberate (BS³)-cross-linked human serum albumin (HSA) and evaluated how reproducible cross-linked peptides can be identified and quantified by LC-MS analysis. To make QCLMS accessible to a broader research community, we developed a workflow that integrates the established software tools MaxQuant for spectra preprocessing, Xi for cross-linked peptide identification, and finally Skyline for quantification (MS1 filtering). Out of the 221 unique residue pairs identified in our sample, 124 were subsequently quantified across 10 analyses with coefficient of variation (CV) values of 14% (injection replica) and 32% (reaction replica). Thus our results demonstrate that the reproducibility of QCLMS is in line with the reproducibility of general quantitative proteomics and we establish a robust workflow for MS1-based quantitation of cross-linked peptides. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Protein Tertiary Structure by Crosslinking/Mass Spectrometry

Observing the structures of proteins within the cell and tracking structural changes under different cellular conditions are the ultimate challenges for structural biology. This, however, requires an experimental technique that can generate sufficient data for structure determination and is applicable in the native environment of proteins. Crosslinking/mass spectrometry (CLMS) and protein structure determination have recently advanced to meet these requirements and crosslinking-driven de novo structure determination in native environments is now possible. In this opinion article, we highlight recent successes in the field of CLMS with protein structure modeling and challenges it still holds.

The earliest structural studies on proteins using crosslinking/mass spectrometry aimed to elucidate their tertiary three-dimensional structure.

Tertiary structure modeling using crosslinking fell out of favor for almost two decades because crosslink data were not informative to aid structure modeling.

Two game-changing trends emerged: using short-range crosslinkers that capture relevant modeling information and high-density crosslinking.

High-density crosslinking uses unspecific crosslinkers to dramatically increase crosslink numbers.

In addition, computational structure modeling methods made significant progress in exploiting CLMS data.

The combination of high-density crosslinking and computational structure modeling enables the elucidation of tertiary protein structure in native environments.

This sidesteps the key limitation of today’s structure determination methods, which are unable (except for a few, specialized methods) to probe the structure of proteins in cell lysates or even intact cells.

Structural basis of the interaction between the putative adhesion-involved and iron-regulated FrpD and FrpC proteins of Neisseria meningitidis

The iron-regulated protein FrpD from Neisseria meningitidis is an outer membrane lipoprotein that interacts with very high affinity (K_d ~ 0.2 nM) with the N-terminal domain of FrpC, a Type I-secreted protein from the Repeat in ToXin (RTX) protein family. In the presence of Ca²⁺, FrpC undergoes Ca²⁺ -dependent protein trans-splicing that includes an autocatalytic cleavage of the Asp₄₁₄-Pro₄₁₅ peptide bond and formation of an Asp₄₁₄-Lys isopeptide bond. Here, we report the high-resolution structure of FrpD and describe the structure-function relationships underlying the interaction between FrpD and FrpC_1-414. We identified FrpD residues involved in FrpC_1-414 binding, which enabled localization of FrpD within the low-resolution SAXS model of the FrpD-FrpC_1-414 complex. Moreover, the trans-splicing activity of FrpC resulted in covalent linkage of the FrpC_1-414 fragment to plasma membrane proteins of epithelial cells in vitro, suggesting that formation of the FrpD-FrpC_1-414 complex may be involved in the interaction of meningococci with the host cell surface.

Quantitative cross-linking/mass spectrometry reveals subtle protein conformational changes

Quantitative cross-linking/mass spectrometry (QCLMS) probes protein structural dynamics in solution by quantitatively comparing the yields of cross-links between different conformational statuses. We have used QCLMS to understand the final maturation step of the proteasome lid and also to elucidate the structure of complement C3(H2O). Here we benchmark our workflow using a structurally well-described reference system, the human complement protein C3 and its activated cleavage product C3b. We found that small local conformational changes affect the yields of cross-linking residues that are near in space while larger conformational changes affect the detectability of cross-links. Distinguishing between minor and major changes required robust analysis based on replica analysis and a label-swapping procedure. By providing workflow, code of practice and a framework for semi-automated data processing, we lay the foundation for QCLMS as a tool to monitor the domain choreography that drives binary switching in many protein-protein interaction networks.

Oligomeric interface modulation causes misregulation of purine 5´-nucleotidase in relapsed leukemia

Background

Relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the main causes of mortality in childhood malignancies. Previous genetic studies demonstrated that chemoresistant ALL is driven by activating mutations in NT5C2, the gene encoding cytosolic 5´-nucleotidase (cN-II). However, molecular mechanisms underlying this hyperactivation are still unknown. Here, we present kinetic and structural properties of cN-II variants that represent 75 % of mutated alleles in patients who experience relapsed ALL (R367Q, R238W and L375F).

Results

Enzyme kinetics measurements revealed that the mutants are consitutively active without need for allosteric activators. This shows that hyperactivity is not caused by a direct catalytic effect but rather by misregulation of cN-II. X-ray crystallography combined with mass spectrometry-based techniques demonstrated that this misregulation is driven by structural modulation of the oligomeric interface within the cN-II homotetrameric assembly. These specific conformational changes are shared between the studied variants, despite the relatively random spatial distribution of the mutations.

Conclusions

These findings define a common molecular mechanism for cN-II hyperactivity, which provides a solid basis for targeted therapy of leukemia. Our study highlights the cN-II oligomerization interface as an attractive pharmacological target.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-016-0313-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Quantitative Cross-linking/Mass Spectrometry Using Isotope-labeled Cross-linkers and MaxQuant

The conceptually simple step from cross-linking/mass spectrometry (CLMS) to quantitative cross-linking/mass spectrometry (QCLMS) is compounded by technical challenges. Currently, quantitative proteomics software is tightly integrated with the protein identification workflow. This prevents automatically quantifying other m/z features in a targeted manner including those associated with cross-linked peptides. Here we present a new release of MaxQuant that permits starting the quantification process from an m/z feature list. Comparing the automated quantification to a carefully manually curated test set of cross-linked peptides obtained by cross-linking C3 and C3b with BS³ and isotope-labeled BS³-d4 revealed a number of observations: (1) Fully automated process using MaxQuant can quantify cross-links in our reference data set with 68% recall rate and 88% accuracy. (2) Hidden quantification errors can be converted into exposed failures by label-swap replica, which makes label-swap replica an essential part of QCLMS. (3) Cross-links that failed during automated quantification can be recovered by semi-automated re-quantification. The integrated workflow of MaxQuant and semi-automated assessment provides the maximum of quantified cross-links. In contrast, work on larger data sets or by less experienced users will benefit from full automation in MaxQuant.

Structure of Complement C3(H2O) Revealed By Quantitative Cross-Linking/Mass Spectrometry And Modeling

The slow but spontaneous and ubiquitous formation of C3(H₂O), the hydrolytic and conformationally rearranged product of C3, initiates antibody-independent activation of the complement system that is a key first line of antimicrobial defense. The structure of C3(H₂O) has not been determined. Here we subjected C3(H₂O) to quantitative cross-linking/mass spectrometry (QCLMS). This revealed details of the structural differences and similarities between C3(H₂O) and C3, as well as between C3(H₂O) and its pivotal proteolytic cleavage product, C3b, which shares functionally similarity with C3(H₂O). Considered in combination with the crystal structures of C3 and C3b, the QCMLS data suggest that C3(H₂O) generation is accompanied by the migration of the thioester-containing domain of C3 from one end of the molecule to the other. This creates a stable C3b-like platform able to bind the zymogen, factor B, or the regulator, factor H. Integration of available crystallographic and QCLMS data allowed the determination of a 3D model of the C3(H₂O) domain architecture. The unique arrangement of domains thus observed in C3(H₂O), which retains the anaphylatoxin domain (that is excised when C3 is enzymatically activated to C3b), can be used to rationalize observed differences between C3(H₂O) and C3b in terms of complement activation and regulation.