1
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Schäfer SC, Voll AM, Bracher A, Ley SV, Hausch F. Antascomicin B stabilizes FKBP51-Akt1 complexes as a molecular glue. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 104:129728. [PMID: 38582133 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Antascomicin B is a natural product that similarly to the macrolides FK506 and Rapamycin binds to the FK506-binding protein 12 (FKBP12). FK506 and Rapamycin act as molecular glues by inducing ternary complexes between FKBPs and additional target proteins. Whether Antascomicin B can induce ternary complexes is unknown. Here we show that Antascomicin B binds tightly to larger human FKBP homologs. The cocrystal structure of FKBP51 in complex with Antascomicin B revealed that large parts of Antascomicin B are solvent-exposed and available to engage additional proteins. Cellular studies demonstrated that Antascomicin B enhances the interaction between human FKBP51 and human Akt. Our studies show that molecules with molecular glue-like properties are more prominent in nature than previously thought. We predict the existence of additional 'orphan' molecular glues that evolved to induce ternary protein complexes but where the relevant ternary complex partners are unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine C Schäfer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas M Voll
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Bracher
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Steven V Ley
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, England
| | - Felix Hausch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany; Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
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2
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Shi Y, Bashian EE, Hou Y, Wu P. Chemical immunology: Recent advances in tool development and applications. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:S2451-9456(24)00080-1. [PMID: 38508196 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Immunology was one of the first biological fields to embrace chemical approaches. The development of new chemical approaches and techniques has provided immunologists with an impressive arsenal of tools to address challenges once considered insurmountable. This review focuses on advances at the interface of chemistry and immunobiology over the past two decades that have not only opened new avenues in basic immunological research, but also revolutionized drug development for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. These include chemical approaches to understand and manipulate antigen presentation and the T cell priming process, to facilitate immune cell trafficking and regulate immune cell functions, and therapeutic applications of chemical approaches to disease control and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Shi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Eleanor E Bashian
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yingqin Hou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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3
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Knodel F, Pinter S, Kroll C, Rathert P. Fluorescent Reporter Systems to Investigate Chromatin Effector Proteins in Living Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2842:225-252. [PMID: 39012599 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4051-7_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic research faces the challenge of the high complexity and tight regulation in chromatin modification networks. Although many isolated mechanisms of chromatin-mediated gene regulation have been described, solid approaches for the comprehensive analysis of specific processes as parts of the bigger epigenome network are missing. In order to expand the toolbox of methods by a system that will help to capture and describe the complexity of transcriptional regulation, we describe here a robust protocol for the generation of stable reporter systems for transcriptional activity and summarize their applications. The system allows for the induced recruitment of a chromatin regulator to a fluorescent reporter gene, followed by the detection of transcriptional changes using flow cytometry. The reporter gene is integrated into an endogenous chromatin environment, thus enabling the detection of regulatory dependencies of the investigated chromatin regulator on endogenous cofactors. The system allows for an easy and dynamic readout at the single-cell level and the ability to compensate for cell-to-cell variances of transcription. The modular design of the system enables the simple adjustment of the method for the investigation of different chromatin regulators in a broad panel of cell lines. We also summarize applications of this technology to characterize the silencing velocity of different chromatin effectors, removal of activating histone modifications, analysis of stability and reversibility of epigenome modifications, the investigation of the effects of small molecule on chromatin effectors and of functional effector-coregulator relationships. The presented method allows to investigate the complexity of transcriptional regulation by epigenetic effector proteins in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Knodel
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sabine Pinter
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Carolin Kroll
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Philipp Rathert
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
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4
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Zou X, Shanmugam SK, Kanner SA, Sampson KJ, Kass RS, Colecraft HM. Divergent regulation of KCNQ1/E1 by targeted recruitment of protein kinase A to distinct sites on the channel complex. eLife 2023; 12:e83466. [PMID: 37650513 PMCID: PMC10499372 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83466] [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: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The slow delayed rectifier potassium current, IKs, conducted through pore-forming Q1 and auxiliary E1 ion channel complexes is important for human cardiac action potential repolarization. During exercise or fright, IKs is up-regulated by protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated Q1 phosphorylation to maintain heart rhythm and optimum cardiac performance. Sympathetic up-regulation of IKs requires recruitment of PKA holoenzyme (two regulatory - RI or RII - and two catalytic Cα subunits) to Q1 C-terminus by an A kinase anchoring protein (AKAP9). Mutations in Q1 or AKAP9 that abolish their functional interaction result in long QT syndrome type 1 and 11, respectively, which increases the risk of sudden cardiac death during exercise. Here, we investigated the utility of a targeted protein phosphorylation (TPP) approach to reconstitute PKA regulation of IKs in the absence of AKAP9. Targeted recruitment of endogenous Cα to E1-YFP using a GFP/YFP nanobody (nano) fused to RIIα enabled acute cAMP-mediated enhancement of IKs, reconstituting physiological regulation of the channel complex. By contrast, nano-mediated tethering of RIIα or Cα to Q1-YFP constitutively inhibited IKs by retaining the channel intracellularly in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. Proteomic analysis revealed that distinct phosphorylation sites are modified by Cα targeted to Q1-YFP compared to free Cα. Thus, functional outcomes of synthetically recruited PKA on IKs regulation is critically dependent on the site of recruitment within the channel complex. The results reveal insights into divergent regulation of IKs by phosphorylation across different spatial and time scales, and suggest a TPP approach to develop new drugs to prevent exercise-induced sudden cardiac death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinle Zou
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Sri Karthika Shanmugam
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Scott A Kanner
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Kevin J Sampson
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Robert S Kass
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Henry M Colecraft
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
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5
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Singh S, Tian W, Severance ZC, Chaudhary SK, Anokhina V, Mondal B, Pergu R, Singh P, Dhawa U, Singha S, Choudhary A. Proximity-inducing modalities: the past, present, and future. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:5485-5515. [PMID: 37477631 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00943a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Living systems use proximity to regulate biochemical processes. Inspired by this phenomenon, bifunctional modalities that induce proximity have been developed to redirect cellular processes. An emerging example of this class is molecules that induce ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of a protein of interest, and their initial development sparked a flurry of discovery for other bifunctional modalities. Recent advances in this area include modalities that can change protein phosphorylation, glycosylation, and acetylation states, modulate gene expression, and recruit components of the immune system. In this review, we highlight bifunctional modalities that perform functions other than degradation and have great potential to revolutionize disease treatment, while also serving as important tools in basic research to explore new aspects of biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameek Singh
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Wenzhi Tian
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Zachary C Severance
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Santosh K Chaudhary
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Viktoriya Anokhina
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Basudeb Mondal
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Rajaiah Pergu
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Prashant Singh
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Uttam Dhawa
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Santanu Singha
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Amit Choudhary
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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6
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Somsen BA, Craenmehr FWB, Liu WHW, Koops AA, Pennings MAM, Visser EJ, Ottmann C, Cossar PJ, Brunsveld L. Functional mapping of the 14-3-3 hub protein as a guide to design 14-3-3 molecular glues. Chem Sci 2022; 13:13122-13131. [PMID: 36425501 PMCID: PMC9667936 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04662h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular glues represent an evolution in drug discovery, however, targeted stabilization of protein complexes remains challenging, owing to a paucity of drug design rules. The functional mapping of hotspots has been critical to protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitor research, however, the orthogonal approach to stabilize PPIs has not exploited this information. Utilizing the hub protein 14-3-3 as a case study we demonstrate that functional mapping of hotspots provides a triage map for 14-3-3 molecular glue development. Truncation and mutation studies allowed deconvoluting the energetic contributions of sidechain and backbone interactions of a 14-3-3-binding non-natural peptide. Three central 14-3-3 hotspots were identified and their thermodynamic characteristics profiled. In addition to the phospho-binding pocket; (i) Asn226, (ii) Lys122 and (iii) the hydrophobic patch formed by Leu218, Ile219 and Leu222 were critical for protein complex formation. Exploiting this hotspot information allowed a peptide-based molecular glue that elicits high cooperativity (α = 36) and selectively stabilizes the 14-3-3/ChREBP PPI to be uniquely developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bente A Somsen
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Fenna W B Craenmehr
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Wei-Hong W Liu
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Auke A Koops
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Marloes A M Pennings
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Emira J Visser
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Christian Ottmann
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Peter J Cossar
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
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7
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Stevers LM, Wolter M, Carlile GW, Macdonald D, Richard L, Gielkens F, Hanrahan JW, Thomas DY, Chakka SK, Peterson ML, Thomas H, Brunsveld L, Ottmann C. Macrocycle-stabilization of its interaction with 14-3-3 increases plasma membrane localization and activity of CFTR. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3586. [PMID: 35739107 PMCID: PMC9226124 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31206-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired activity of the chloride channel CFTR is the cause of cystic fibrosis. 14-3-3 proteins have been shown to stabilize CFTR and increase its biogenesis and activity. Here, we report the identification and mechanism of action of a macrocycle stabilizing the 14-3-3/CFTR complex. This molecule rescues plasma membrane localization and chloride transport of F508del-CFTR and works additively with the CFTR pharmacological chaperone corrector lumacaftor (VX-809) and the triple combination Trikafta®. This macrocycle is a useful tool to study the CFTR/14-3-3 interaction and the potential of molecular glues in cystic fibrosis therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loes M Stevers
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Madita Wolter
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Graeme W Carlile
- Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dwight Macdonald
- Cyclenium Pharma Inc., 7171 rue Frederick Banting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Luc Richard
- Cyclenium Pharma Inc., 7171 rue Frederick Banting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frank Gielkens
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - John W Hanrahan
- Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David Y Thomas
- Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sai Kumar Chakka
- Cyclenium Pharma Inc., 7171 rue Frederick Banting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mark L Peterson
- Cyclenium Pharma Inc., 7171 rue Frederick Banting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Helmut Thomas
- Cyclenium Pharma Inc., 7171 rue Frederick Banting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Ottmann
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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8
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Wang WW, Chen LY, Wozniak JM, Jadhav AM, Anderson H, Malone TE, Parker CG. Targeted Protein Acetylation in Cells Using Heterobifunctional Molecules. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:16700-16708. [PMID: 34592107 PMCID: PMC10793965 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c07850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein acetylation is a central event in orchestrating diverse cellular processes. However, current strategies to investigate protein acetylation in cells are often nonspecific or lack temporal and magnitude control. Here, we developed an acetylation tagging system, AceTAG, to induce acetylation of targeted proteins. The AceTAG system utilizes bifunctional molecules to direct the lysine acetyltransferase p300/CBP to proteins fused with the small protein tag FKBP12F36V, resulting in their induced acetylation. Using AceTAG, we induced targeted acetylation of a diverse array of proteins in cells, specifically histone H3.3, the NF-κB subunit p65/RelA, and the tumor suppressor p53. We demonstrate that targeted acetylation with the AceTAG system is rapid, selective, reversible and can be controlled in a dose-dependent fashion. AceTAG represents a useful strategy to modulate protein acetylation and should enable the exploration of targeted acetylation in basic biological and therapeutic contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley W Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Li-Yun Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jacob M Wozniak
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Appaso M Jadhav
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Hayden Anderson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Taylor E Malone
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Christopher G Parker
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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9
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Colecraft HM. Designer genetically encoded voltage-dependent calcium channel inhibitors inspired by RGK GTPases. J Physiol 2020; 598:1683-1693. [PMID: 32104913 PMCID: PMC7195252 DOI: 10.1113/jp276544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
High‐voltage‐activated calcium (CaV1/CaV2) channels translate action potentials into Ca2+ influx in excitable cells to control essential biological processes that include; muscle contraction, synaptic transmission, hormone secretion and activity‐dependent regulation of gene expression. Modulation of CaV1/CaV2 channel activity is a powerful mechanism to regulate physiology, and there are a host of intracellular signalling molecules that tune different aspects of CaV channel trafficking and gating for this purpose. Beyond normal physiological regulation, the diverse CaV channel modulatory mechanisms may potentially be co‐opted or interfered with for therapeutic benefits. CaV1/CaV2 channels are potently inhibited by a four‐member sub‐family of Ras‐like GTPases known as RGK (Rad, Rem, Rem2, Gem/Kir) proteins. Understanding the mechanisms by which RGK proteins inhibit CaV1/CaV2 channels has led to the development of novel genetically encoded CaV channel blockers with unique properties; including, chemo‐ and optogenetic control of channel activity, and blocking channels either on the basis of their subcellular localization or by targeting an auxiliary subunit. These genetically encoded CaV channel inhibitors have outstanding utility as enabling research tools and potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry M Colecraft
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Signaling, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Gerry CJ, Schreiber SL. Unifying principles of bifunctional, proximity-inducing small molecules. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:369-378. [PMID: 32198490 PMCID: PMC7312755 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0469-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Nature uses a variety of tools to mediate the flow of information in cells, many of which control distances between key biomacromolecules. Researchers have thus generated compounds whose activities stem from interactions with two (or more) proteins simultaneously. In this Perspective, we describe how these 'bifunctional' small molecules facilitate the study of an increasingly wide range of complex biological phenomena and enable the drugging of otherwise challenging therapeutic targets and processes. Despite their structural and functional differences, all bifunctional molecules employ Nature's strategy of altering interactomes and inducing proximity to modulate biology. They therefore exhibit a shared set of chemical and biophysical principles that have not yet been appreciated fully. By highlighting these commonalities-and their wide-ranging consequences-we hope to chip away at the artificial barriers that threaten to constrain this interdisciplinary field. Doing so promises to yield remarkable benefits for biological research and therapeutics discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Gerry
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stuart L Schreiber
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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11
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Hofmann M, Retamal-Morales G, Tischler D. Metal binding ability of microbial natural metal chelators and potential applications. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 37:1262-1283. [DOI: 10.1039/c9np00058e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Metallophores can chelate many different metal and metalloid ions next to iron, make them valuable for many applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Hofmann
- Institute of Biosciences
- Chemistry and Physics Faculty
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg
- 09599 Freiberg
- Germany
| | - Gerardo Retamal-Morales
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Básica y Aplicada
- Facultad de Química y Biología
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile
- Santiago
- Chile
| | - Dirk Tischler
- Microbial Biotechnology
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum
- 44780 Bochum
- Germany
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12
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Jing J, Liu G, Huang Y, Zhou Y. A molecular toolbox for interrogation of membrane contact sites. J Physiol 2019; 598:1725-1739. [PMID: 31119749 PMCID: PMC7098838 DOI: 10.1113/jp277761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane contact sites (MCSs) are specialized subcellular compartments formed by closely apposed membranes from two organelles. The intermembrane gap is separated by a distance ranging from 10 to 35 nm. MCSs are typically maintained through dynamic protein–protein and protein–lipid interactions. These intermembrane contact sites constitute important intracellular signalling hotspots to mediate a plethora of cellular processes, including calcium homeostasis, lipid metabolism, membrane biogenesis and organelle remodelling. In recent years, a series of genetically encoded probes and chemogenetic or optogenetic actuators have been invented to aid the visualization and interrogation of MCSs in both fixed and living cells. These molecular tools have greatly accelerated the pace of mechanistic dissection of membrane contact sites at the molecular level. In this review, we present an overview on the latest progress in this endeavour, and provide a general guide to the selection of methods and molecular tools for probing interorganellar membrane contact sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Jing
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Gan Liu
- Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Yun Huang
- Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yubin Zhou
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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13
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Pomplun S, Sippel C, Hähle A, Tay D, Shima K, Klages A, Ünal CM, Rieß B, Toh HT, Hansen G, Yoon HS, Bracher A, Preiser P, Rupp J, Steinert M, Hausch F. Chemogenomic Profiling of Human and Microbial FK506-Binding Proteins. J Med Chem 2018; 61:3660-3673. [PMID: 29578710 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) are evolutionarily conserved proteins that display peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activities and act as coreceptors for immunosuppressants. Microbial macrophage-infectivity-potentiator (Mip)-type FKBPs can enhance infectivity. However, developing druglike ligands for FKBPs or Mips has proven difficult, and many FKBPs and Mips still lack biologically useful ligands. To explore the scope and potential of C5-substituted [4.3.1]-aza-bicyclic sulfonamides as a broadly applicable class of FKBP inhibitors, we developed a new synthesis method for the bicyclic core scaffold and used it to prepare an FKBP- and Mip-focused library. This allowed us to perform a systematic structure-activity-relationship analysis across key human FKBPs and microbial Mips, yielding highly improved inhibitors for all the FKBPs studied. A cocrystal structure confirmed the molecular-binding mode of the core structure and explained the affinity gained as a result of the preferred substituents. The best FKBP and Mip ligands showed promising antimalarial, antileginonellal, and antichlamydial properties in cellular models of infectivity, suggesting that substituted [4.3.1]-aza-bicyclic sulfonamides could be a novel class of anti-infectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Pomplun
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry , Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry , 80804 Munich , Germany
| | - Claudia Sippel
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry , Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry , 80804 Munich , Germany
| | - Andreas Hähle
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry , Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry , 80804 Munich , Germany.,Technical University Darmstadt , Alarich-Weiss-Straße 4 , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Donald Tay
- School of Biological Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 639798 Singapore
| | - Kensuke Shima
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology , University of Lübeck , 23562 Lübeck , Germany
| | - Alina Klages
- Technische Universität Braunschweig , 38106 Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Can Murat Ünal
- Technische Universität Braunschweig , 38106 Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Benedikt Rieß
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry , Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry , 80804 Munich , Germany
| | - Hui Ting Toh
- School of Biological Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 639798 Singapore
| | | | - Ho Sup Yoon
- School of Biological Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 639798 Singapore
| | - Andreas Bracher
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry , 82152 Martinsried , Germany
| | - Peter Preiser
- School of Biological Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 639798 Singapore
| | - Jan Rupp
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology , University of Lübeck , 23562 Lübeck , Germany
| | - Michael Steinert
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology , University of Lübeck , 23562 Lübeck , Germany.,Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , 38124 Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Felix Hausch
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry , Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry , 80804 Munich , Germany.,Technical University Darmstadt , Alarich-Weiss-Straße 4 , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
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14
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Kanner SA, Morgenstern T, Colecraft HM. Sculpting ion channel functional expression with engineered ubiquitin ligases. eLife 2017; 6:29744. [PMID: 29256394 PMCID: PMC5764571 DOI: 10.7554/elife.29744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional repertoire of surface ion channels is sustained by dynamic processes of trafficking, sorting, and degradation. Dysregulation of these processes underlies diverse ion channelopathies including cardiac arrhythmias and cystic fibrosis. Ubiquitination powerfully regulates multiple steps in the channel lifecycle, yet basic mechanistic understanding is confounded by promiscuity among E3 ligase/substrate interactions and ubiquitin code complexity. Here we targeted the catalytic domain of E3 ligase, CHIP, to YFP-tagged KCNQ1 ± KCNE1 subunits with a GFP-nanobody to selectively manipulate this channel complex in heterologous cells and adult rat cardiomyocytes. Engineered CHIP enhanced KCNQ1 ubiquitination, eliminated KCNQ1 surface-density, and abolished reconstituted K+ currents without affecting protein expression. A chemo-genetic variation enabling chemical control of ubiquitination revealed KCNQ1 surface-density declined with a ~ 3.5 hr t1/2 by impaired forward trafficking. The results illustrate utility of engineered E3 ligases to elucidate mechanisms underlying ubiquitin regulation of membrane proteins, and to achieve effective post-translational functional knockdown of ion channels. Cells are surrounded by a membrane that separates the outside of the cell from its inside. Proteins called ion channels are embedded within this membrane and allow charged ions to move in and out of the cell. The movement of ions generates electrical currents that are essential for many processes that keep us alive, including our heartbeat and the activity within our brain. Like many other proteins, newly made ion channels undergo several steps before they mature and become active. Cells destroy any proteins that do not mature properly, as well as those that become damaged or are simply no longer needed. A small protein called ubiquitin helps to mark such unwanted proteins for destruction. Enzymes known as E3 ligases attach ubiquitin to target proteins in a process known as ubiquitination. This process regulates both the quality and amount of proteins within cells. To understand the role of a particular protein, it is often necessary to remove it from the cell and then examine the consequences. In the past, researchers have harnessed the ubiquitin system to remove many kinds of proteins, but this approach had not previously been used to target an ion channel. Now, Kanner et al. set out to selectively eliminate ion channels via targeted ubiquitination. The experiments showed that previous approaches that could destroy proteins within the cell were not effective against ion channels. Kanner et al. then engineered a particular E3 ligase so that it could selectively attach ubiquitin to the desired ion channels. This approach successfully prevented the channels from reaching the cell membrane, thereby silencing the electrical currents that they normally generate. Additionally, a new tool was developed to stop ion channels in their tracks, essentially with a flip of a chemical switch. Kanner et al. then used this approach to manipulate ion channels in a highly controlled manner, within their normal environment of heart muscle cells. These new approaches form a toolset that scientists can now exploit to study diverse ion channels. In the future, the toolkit could potentially be used to develop treatments for disorders such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and irregular heartbeats, where too many channels are active or present at the cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Kanner
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, United States
| | - Travis Morgenstern
- Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, United States
| | - Henry M Colecraft
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, United States.,Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, United States
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15
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Williamson RL, Laulagnier K, Miranda AM, Fernandez MA, Wolfe MS, Sadoul R, Di Paolo G. Disruption of amyloid precursor protein ubiquitination selectively increases amyloid β (Aβ) 40 levels via presenilin 2-mediated cleavage. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:19873-19889. [PMID: 29021256 PMCID: PMC5712626 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.818138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Revised: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid plaques, a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, are largely composed of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide, derived from cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β- and γ-secretases. The endosome is increasingly recognized as an important crossroad for APP and these secretases, with major implications for APP processing and amyloidogenesis. Among various post-translational modifications affecting APP accumulation, ubiquitination of cytodomain lysines may represent a key signal controlling APP endosomal sorting. Here, we show that substitution of APP C-terminal lysines with arginine disrupts APP ubiquitination and that an increase in the number of substituted lysines tends to increase APP metabolism. An APP mutant lacking all C-terminal lysines underwent the most pronounced increase in processing, leading to accumulation of both secreted and intracellular Aβ40. Artificial APP ubiquitination with rapalog-mediated proximity inducers reduced Aβ40 generation. A lack of APP C-terminal lysines caused APP redistribution from endosomal intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) to the endosomal limiting membrane, with a subsequent decrease in APP C-terminal fragment (CTF) content in secreted exosomes, but had minimal effects on APP lysosomal degradation. Both the increases in secreted and intracellular Aβ40 were abolished by depletion of presenilin 2 (PSEN2), recently shown to be enriched on the endosomal limiting membrane compared with PSEN1. Our findings demonstrate that ubiquitin can act as a signal at five cytodomain-located lysines for endosomal sorting of APP. They further suggest that disruption of APP endosomal sorting reduces its sequestration in ILVs and results in PSEN2-mediated processing of a larger pool of APP-CTF on the endosomal membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karine Laulagnier
- the Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, Inserm, Grenoble 38042, France
| | - André M Miranda
- From the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and
- the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho and
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables, and Biomimetics Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal, and
| | - Marty A Fernandez
- the Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Michael S Wolfe
- the Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Rémy Sadoul
- the Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, Inserm, Grenoble 38042, France
| | - Gilbert Di Paolo
- From the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and
- the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
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16
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Functional selectivity of GPCR-directed drug action through location bias. Nat Chem Biol 2017; 13:799-806. [PMID: 28553949 PMCID: PMC5733145 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are increasingly recognized to operate from intracellular membranes as well as the plasma membrane. The β2-adrenergic GPCR can activate Gs-linkedcyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling from endosomes. We show here that the homologous human β1-adrenergic receptor initiates an internal Gs-cAMP signal from the Golgi apparatus. By developing a chemical method to acutely squelch G protein coupling at defined membrane locations, we demonstrate that Golgi activation contributes significantly to the overall cellular cAMP response. Golgi signalling utilizes a pre-existing receptor pool rather than receptors delivered from the cell surface, requiring separate access of extracellular ligands. Epinephrine, a hydrophilic endogenous ligand, accesses the Golgi-localized receptor pool by facilitated transport requiring the organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) whereas drugs can access the Golgi pool by passive diffusion according to hydrophobicity. We demonstrate marked differences among both agonist and antagonist drugs in Golgi-localized receptor access, and show that β-blocker drugs presently used in the clinic differ markedly in ability to antagonize the Golgi signal. We propose ’location bias’ as a new principle for achieving functional selectivity of GPCR-directed drug action.
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17
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Kadoch C, Williams RT, Calarco JP, Miller EL, Weber CM, Braun SG, Pulice JL, Chory EJ, Crabtree GR. Dynamics of BAF-Polycomb complex opposition on heterochromatin in normal and oncogenic states. Nat Genet 2017; 49:213-222. [PMID: 27941796 PMCID: PMC5285326 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The opposition between Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) and BAF (mSWI/SNF) complexes has a critical role in both development and disease. Mutations in the genes encoding BAF subunits contribute to more than 20% of human malignancies, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, owing largely to a lack of assays to assess BAF function in living cells. To address this, we have developed a widely applicable recruitment assay system through which we find that BAF opposes PRC by rapid, ATP-dependent eviction, leading to the formation of accessible chromatin. The reversal of this process results in reassembly of facultative heterochromatin. Surprisingly, BAF-mediated PRC eviction occurs in the absence of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) occupancy, transcription, and replication. Further, we find that tumor-suppressor and oncogenic mutant BAF complexes have different effects on PRC eviction. The results of these studies define a mechanistic sequence underlying the resolution and formation of facultative heterochromatin, and they demonstrate that BAF opposes PRC on a minute-by-minute basis to provide epigenetic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cigall Kadoch
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert T. Williams
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph P. Calarco
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Pathology and Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Erik L. Miller
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Pathology and Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christopher M. Weber
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Pathology and Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Simon G. Braun
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Pathology and Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - John L. Pulice
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emma J. Chory
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Pathology and Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gerald R. Crabtree
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Pathology and Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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18
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De Clercq DJH, Tavernier J, Lievens S, Van Calenbergh S. Chemical Dimerizers in Three-Hybrid Systems for Small Molecule-Target Protein Profiling. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:2075-90. [PMID: 27267544 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The identification of the molecular targets and mechanisms underpinning the beneficial or detrimental effects of small-molecule leads and drugs constitutes a crucial aspect of current drug discovery. Over the last two decades, three-hybrid (3H) systems have progressively taken an important position in the armamentarium of small molecule-target protein profiling technologies. Yet, a prerequisite for successful 3H analysis is the availability of appropriate chemical inducers of dimerization. Herein, we present a comprehensive and critical overview of the chemical dimerizers specifically applied in both yeast and mammalian three-hybrid systems for small molecule-target protein profiling within the broader scope of target deconvolution and drug discovery. Furthermore, examples and alternative suggestions for typical components of chemical dimerizers for 3H systems are discussed. As illustrated, more tools have become available that increase the sensitivity and efficiency of 3H-based screening platforms. Hence, it is anticipated that the great potential of 3H systems will further materialize in important contributions to drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dries J. H. De Clercq
- Laboratory
for Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Tavernier
- Department
of Medical Protein Research, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sam Lievens
- Department
of Medical Protein Research, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory
for Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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19
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Doran TM, Sarkar M, Kodadek T. Chemical Tools To Monitor and Manipulate Adaptive Immune Responses. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:6076-94. [PMID: 27115249 PMCID: PMC5332222 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b02954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Methods to monitor and manipulate the immune system are of enormous clinical interest. For example, the development of vaccines represents one of the earliest and greatest accomplishments of the biomedical research enterprise. More recently, drugs capable of "reawakening" the immune system to cancer have generated enormous excitement. But, much remains to be done. All drugs available today that manipulate the immune system cannot distinguish between "good" and "bad" immune responses and thus drive general and systemic immune suppression or activation. Indeed, with the notable exception of vaccines, our ability to monitor and manipulate antigen-specific immune responses is in its infancy. Achieving this finer level of control would be highly desirable. For example, it might allow the pharmacological editing of pathogenic immune responses without restricting the ability of the immune system to defend against infection. On the diagnostic side, a method to comprehensively monitor the circulating, antigen-specific antibody population could provide a treasure trove of clinically useful biomarkers, since many diseases expose the immune system to characteristic molecules that are deemed foreign and elicit the production of antibodies against them. This Perspective will discuss the state-of-the-art of this area with a focus on what we consider seminal opportunities for the chemistry community to contribute to this important field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd M. Doran
- Departments of Chemistry & Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research
Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458
| | - Mohosin Sarkar
- Departments of Chemistry & Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research
Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458
| | - Thomas Kodadek
- Departments of Chemistry & Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research
Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458
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20
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Puckerin AA, Chang DD, Subramanyam P, Colecraft HM. Similar molecular determinants on Rem mediate two distinct modes of inhibition of Ca V1.2 channels. Channels (Austin) 2016; 10:379-394. [PMID: 27115600 PMCID: PMC4988437 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2016.1180489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rad/Rem/Rem2/Gem (RGK) proteins are Ras-like GTPases that potently inhibit all high-voltage-gated calcium (CaV1/CaV2) channels and are, thus, well-positioned to tune diverse physiological processes. Understanding how RGK proteins inhibit CaV channels is important for perspectives on their (patho)physiological roles and could advance their development and use as genetically-encoded CaV channel blockers. We previously reported that Rem can block surface CaV1.2 channels in 2 independent ways that engage distinct components of the channel complex: (1) by binding auxiliary β subunits (β-binding-dependent inhibition, or BBD); and (2) by binding the pore-forming α1C subunit N-terminus (α1C-binding-dependent inhibition, or ABD). By contrast, Gem uses only the BBD mechanism to block CaV1.2. Rem molecular determinants required for BBD CaV1.2 inhibition are the distal C-terminus and the guanine nucleotide binding G-domain which interact with the plasma membrane and CaVβ, respectively. However, Rem determinants for ABD CaV1.2 inhibition are unknown. Here, combining fluorescence resonance energy transfer, electrophysiology, systematic truncations, and Rem/Gem chimeras we found that the same Rem distal C-terminus and G-domain also mediate ABD CaV1.2 inhibition, but with different interaction partners. Rem distal C-terminus interacts with α1C N-terminus to anchor the G-domain which likely interacts with an as-yet-unidentified site. In contrast to some previous studies, neither the C-terminus of Rem nor Gem was sufficient to inhibit CaV1/CaV2 channels. The results reveal that similar molecular determinants on Rem are repurposed to initiate 2 independent mechanisms of CaV1.2 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akil A Puckerin
- a Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Signaling , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - Donald D Chang
- b Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - Prakash Subramanyam
- b Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - Henry M Colecraft
- a Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Signaling , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA.,b Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
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21
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Long MC, Poganik JR, Aye Y. On-Demand Targeting: Investigating Biology with Proximity-Directed Chemistry. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:3610-22. [PMID: 26907082 PMCID: PMC4805449 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b12608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Proximity enhancement is a central chemical tenet underpinning an exciting suite of small-molecule toolsets that have allowed us to unravel many biological complexities. The leitmotif of this opus is "tethering"-a strategy in which a multifunctional small molecule serves as a template to bring proteins/biomolecules together. Scaffolding approaches have been powerfully applied to control diverse biological outcomes such as protein-protein association, protein stability, activity, and improve imaging capabilities. A new twist on this strategy has recently appeared, in which the small-molecule probe is engineered to unleash controlled amounts of reactive chemical signals within the microenvironment of a target protein. Modification of a specific target elicits a precisely timed and spatially controlled gain-of-function (or dominant loss-of-function) signaling response. Presented herein is a unique personal outlook conceptualizing the powerful proximity-enhanced chemical biology toolsets into two paradigms: "multifunctional scaffolding" versus "on-demand targeting". By addressing the latest advances and challenges in the established yet constantly evolving multifunctional scaffolding strategies as well as in the emerging on-demand precision targeting (and related) systems, this Perspective is aimed at choosing when it is best to employ each of the two strategies, with an emphasis toward further promoting novel applications and discoveries stemming from these innovative chemical biology platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus
J. C. Long
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United
States
| | - Jesse R. Poganik
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United
States
| | - Yimon Aye
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United
States
- Department
of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, United States
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22
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van Unen J, Reinhard NR, Yin T, Wu YI, Postma M, Gadella TWJ, Goedhart J. Plasma membrane restricted RhoGEF activity is sufficient for RhoA-mediated actin polymerization. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14693. [PMID: 26435194 PMCID: PMC4592971 DOI: 10.1038/srep14693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase RhoA is involved in cell morphology and migration. RhoA activity is tightly regulated in time and space and depends on guanine exchange factors (GEFs). However, the kinetics and subcellular localization of GEF activity towards RhoA are poorly defined. To study the mechanism underlying the spatiotemporal control of RhoA activity by GEFs, we performed single cell imaging with an improved FRET sensor reporting on the nucleotide loading state of RhoA. By employing the FRET sensor we show that a plasma membrane located RhoGEF, p63RhoGEF, can rapidly activate RhoA through endogenous GPCRs and that localized RhoA activity at the cell periphery correlates with actin polymerization. Moreover, synthetic recruitment of the catalytic domain derived from p63RhoGEF to the plasma membrane, but not to the Golgi apparatus, is sufficient to activate RhoA. The synthetic system enables local activation of endogenous RhoA and effectively induces actin polymerization and changes in cellular morphology. Together, our data demonstrate that GEF activity at the plasma membrane is sufficient for actin polymerization via local RhoA signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakobus van Unen
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94215, NL-1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie R Reinhard
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94215, NL-1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Taofei Yin
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health Center, 400 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06032-6406
| | - Yi I Wu
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health Center, 400 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06032-6406
| | - Marten Postma
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94215, NL-1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Theodorus W J Gadella
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94215, NL-1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joachim Goedhart
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94215, NL-1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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23
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Abstract
We have come a long way in the 55 years since Edmond Fischer and the late Edwin Krebs discovered that the activity of glycogen phosphorylase is regulated by reversible protein phosphorylation. Many of the fundamental molecular mechanisms that operate in biological signaling have since been characterized and the vast web of interconnected pathways that make up the cellular signaling network has been mapped in considerable detail. Nonetheless, it is important to consider how fast this field is still moving and the issues at the current boundaries of our understanding. One must also appreciate what experimental strategies have allowed us to attain our present level of knowledge. We summarize here some key issues (both conceptual and methodological), raise unresolved questions, discuss potential pitfalls, and highlight areas in which our understanding is still rudimentary. We hope these wide-ranging ruminations will be useful to investigators who carry studies of signal transduction forward during the rest of the 21st century.
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24
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Bio-inspired voltage-dependent calcium channel blockers. Nat Commun 2014; 4:2540. [PMID: 24096474 PMCID: PMC4190111 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent CaV1/CaV2 channels couples electrical signals to biological responses in excitable cells. CaV1/CaV2 channel blockers have broad biotechnological and therapeutic applications. Here we report a general method for developing novel genetically-encoded calcium channel blockers inspired by Rem, a small G-protein that constitutively inhibits CaV1/CaV2 channels. We show that diverse cytosolic proteins (CaVβ, 14-3-3, calmodulin, and CaMKII) that bind pore-forming α1-subunits can be converted into calcium channel blockers with tunable selectivity, kinetics, and potency, simply by anchoring them to the plasma membrane. We term this method “channel inactivation induced by membrane-tethering of an associated protein” (ChIMP). ChIMP is potentially extendable to small-molecule drug discovery, as engineering FK506-binding protein into intracellular sites within CaV1.2-α1C permits heterodimerization-initiated channel inhibition with rapamycin. The results reveal a universal method for developing novel calcium channel blockers that may be extended to develop probes for a broad cohort of unrelated ion channels.
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25
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Sample V, Mehta S, Zhang J. Genetically encoded molecular probes to visualize and perturb signaling dynamics in living biological systems. J Cell Sci 2014; 127:1151-60. [PMID: 24634506 PMCID: PMC3953811 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.099994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In this Commentary, we discuss two sets of genetically encoded molecular tools that have significantly enhanced our ability to observe and manipulate complex biochemical processes in their native context and that have been essential in deepening our molecular understanding of how intracellular signaling networks function. In particular, genetically encoded biosensors are widely used to directly visualize signaling events in living cells, and we highlight several examples of basic biosensor designs that have enabled researchers to capture the spatial and temporal dynamics of numerous signaling molecules, including second messengers and signaling enzymes, with remarkable detail. Similarly, we discuss a number of genetically encoded biochemical perturbation techniques that are being used to manipulate the activity of various signaling molecules with far greater spatial and temporal selectivity than can be achieved using standard pharmacological or genetic techniques, focusing specifically on examples of chemically driven and light-inducible perturbation strategies. We then describe recent efforts to combine these diverse and powerful molecular tools into a unified platform that can be used to elucidate the molecular details of biological processes that may potentially extend well beyond the realm of signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedangi Sample
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sohum Mehta
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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26
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Springer S, Malkus P, Borchert B, Wellbrock U, Duden R, Schekman R. Regulated Oligomerization Induces Uptake of a Membrane Protein into COPII Vesicles Independent of Its Cytosolic Tail. Traffic 2014; 15:531-45. [DOI: 10.1111/tra.12157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Per Malkus
- Department of Systems Biology; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA 02115 USA
| | - Britta Borchert
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology; Jacobs University Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - Ursula Wellbrock
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology; Jacobs University Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - Rainer Duden
- Centre for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, Institute of Biology; University of Lübeck; Lübeck Germany
| | - Randy Schekman
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular and Cell Biology; University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley CA 94720 USA
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27
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Mehta S, Zhang J. Using a kinase-inducible bimolecular switch to control enzyme activity in living cells. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2014; 5:227-37. [PMID: 24391085 DOI: 10.1002/9780470559277.ch130090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Molecular switches have been instrumental in the development of powerful and versatile genetic tools for directly probing biochemical processes, such as intracellular signaling, within their native contexts. A molecular switch can be broadly defined as a molecular system capable of existing in either of two states (e.g., conformations), which can be converted from one state to the other by a specific input stimulus. This protocol outlines a method for using a kinase-inducible bimolecular switch, along with live-cell fluorescence microscopy, to directly control and monitor the activity of a specific enzyme in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohum Mehta
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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28
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Lu G, Middleton RE, Sun H, Naniong M, Ott CJ, Mitsiades CS, Wong KK, Bradner JE, Kaelin WG. The myeloma drug lenalidomide promotes the cereblon-dependent destruction of Ikaros proteins. Science 2013; 343:305-9. [PMID: 24292623 DOI: 10.1126/science.1244917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1075] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Thalidomide-like drugs such as lenalidomide are clinically important treatments for multiple myeloma and show promise for other B cell malignancies. The biochemical mechanisms underlying their antitumor activity are unknown. Thalidomide was recently shown to bind to, and inhibit, the cereblon ubiquitin ligase. Cereblon loss in zebrafish causes fin defects reminiscent of the limb defects seen in children exposed to thalidomide in utero. Here we show that lenalidomide-bound cereblon acquires the ability to target for proteasomal degradation two specific B cell transcription factors, Ikaros family zinc finger proteins 1 and 3 (IKZF1 and IKZF3). Analysis of myeloma cell lines revealed that loss of IKZF1 and IKZF3 is both necessary and sufficient for lenalidomide's therapeutic effect, suggesting that the antitumor and teratogenic activities of thalidomide-like drugs are dissociable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Lu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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29
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Erhart D, Zimmermann M, Jacques O, Wittwer MB, Ernst B, Constable E, Zvelebil M, Beaufils F, Wymann MP. Chemical development of intracellular protein heterodimerizers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 20:549-57. [PMID: 23601644 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2013.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cell activation initiated by receptor ligands or oncogenes triggers complex and convoluted intracellular signaling. Techniques initiating signals at defined starting points and cellular locations are attractive to elucidate the output of selected pathways. Here, we present the development and validation of a protein heterodimerization system based on small molecules cross-linking fusion proteins derived from HaloTags and SNAP-tags. Chemical dimerizers of HaloTag and SNAP-tag (HaXS) show excellent selectivity and have been optimized for intracellular reactivity. HaXS force protein-protein interactions and can translocate proteins to various cellular compartments. Due to the covalent nature of the HaloTag-HaXS-SNAP-tag complex, intracellular dimerization can be easily monitored. First applications include protein targeting to cytoskeleton, to the plasma membrane, to lysosomes, the initiation of the PI3K/mTOR pathway, and multiplexed protein complex formation in combination with the rapamycin dimerization system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Erhart
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
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30
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Coutinho-Budd JC, Snider SB, Fitzpatrick BJ, Rittiner JE, Zylka MJ. Biological constraints limit the use of rapamycin-inducible FKBP12-Inp54p for depleting PIP2 in dorsal root ganglia neurons. J Negat Results Biomed 2013; 12:13. [PMID: 24010830 PMCID: PMC3844522 DOI: 10.1186/1477-5751-12-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapamycin-induced translocation systems can be used to manipulate biological processes with precise temporal control. These systems are based on rapamycin-induced dimerization of FK506 Binding Protein 12 (FKBP12) with the FKBP Rapamycin Binding (FRB) domain of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Here, we sought to adapt a rapamycin-inducible phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-specific phosphatase (Inp54p) system to deplete PIP2 in nociceptive dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. RESULTS We genetically targeted membrane-tethered CFP-FRBPLF (a destabilized FRB mutant) to the ubiquitously expressed Rosa26 locus, generating a Rosa26-FRBPLF knockin mouse. In a second knockin mouse line, we targeted Venus-FKBP12-Inp54p to the Calcitonin gene-related peptide-alpha (CGRPα) locus. We hypothesized that after intercrossing these mice, rapamycin treatment would induce translocation of Venus-FKBP12-Inp54p to the plasma membrane in CGRP+ DRG neurons. In control experiments with cell lines, rapamycin induced translocation of Venus-FKBP12-Inp54p to the plasma membrane, and subsequent depletion of PIP2, as measured with a PIP2 biosensor. However, rapamycin did not induce translocation of Venus-FKBP12-Inp54p to the plasma membrane in FRBPLF-expressing DRG neurons (in vitro or in vivo). Moreover, rapamycin treatment did not alter PIP2-dependent thermosensation in vivo. Instead, rapamycin treatment stabilized FRBPLF in cultured DRG neurons, suggesting that rapamycin promoted dimerization of FRBPLF with endogenous FKBP12. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data indicate that these knockin mice cannot be used to inducibly deplete PIP2 in DRG neurons. Moreover, our data suggest that high levels of endogenous FKBP12 could compete for binding to FRBPLF, hence limiting the use of rapamycin-inducible systems to cells with low levels of endogenous FKBP12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeda C Coutinho-Budd
- Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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31
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Sample V, Ni Q, Mehta S, Inoue T, Zhang J. Controlling enzymatic action in living cells with a kinase-inducible bimolecular switch. ACS Chem Biol 2013; 8:116-21. [PMID: 23072367 DOI: 10.1021/cb300393w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Molecular probes designed to monitor or perturb signaling events in living cells rely on engineered molecular switches. Here, we show that a kinase-inducible bimolecular switch comprising a kinase-specific substrate and a phosphoamino acid binding domain can be used for acute regulation of cellular events. As a proof of concept, we employed a Protein Kinase A (PKA)-dependent switch and coupled it to a lipid phosphatase to manipulate the level of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P(2)) in living cells. PKA activation results in rapid degradation of PI(4,5)P(2). Conversely, when PKA is inhibited, dephosphorylation of the switch leads to the replenishment of PI(4,5)P(2). Thus, this strategy can be used for reversibly controlling enzymatic action in living cells. Furthermore, its genetic encodability and modular design should facilitate the adaptation of this approach to control different cellular activities as a function of phosphorylation-dependent input signals, thereby providing versatile tools for potentially perturbing or rewiring signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedangi Sample
- Department
of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, ‡Department of Cell Biology, and §The Solomon H.
Snyder Department of Neuroscience and Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
| | - Qiang Ni
- Department
of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, ‡Department of Cell Biology, and §The Solomon H.
Snyder Department of Neuroscience and Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
| | - Sohum Mehta
- Department
of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, ‡Department of Cell Biology, and §The Solomon H.
Snyder Department of Neuroscience and Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
| | - Takanari Inoue
- Department
of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, ‡Department of Cell Biology, and §The Solomon H.
Snyder Department of Neuroscience and Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department
of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, ‡Department of Cell Biology, and §The Solomon H.
Snyder Department of Neuroscience and Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
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32
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Korkina O, Dong Z, Marullo A, Warshaw G, Symons M, Ruggieri R. The MLK-related kinase (MRK) is a novel RhoC effector that mediates lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-stimulated tumor cell invasion. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:5364-73. [PMID: 23319595 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.414060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase RhoC is overexpressed in many invasive tumors and is essential for metastasis. Despite its high structural homology to RhoA, RhoC appears to perform functions that are different from those controlled by RhoA. The identity of the signaling components that are differentially regulated by these two GTPases is only beginning to emerge. Here, we show that the MAP3K protein MRK directly binds to the GTP-bound forms of both RhoA and RhoC in vitro. However, siRNA-mediated depletion of MRK in cells phenocopies depletion of RhoC, rather than that of RhoA. MRK depletion, like that of RhoC, inhibits LPA-stimulated cell invasion, while depletion of RhoA increases invasion. We also show that active MRK enhances LPA-stimulated invasion, further supporting a role for MRK in the regulation of invasion. Depletion of either RhoC or MRK causes sustained myosin light chain phosphorylation after LPA stimulation. In addition, activation of MRK causes a reduction in myosin light chain phosphorylation. In contrast, as expected, depletion of RhoA inhibits myosin light chain phosphorylation. We also present evidence that both RhoC and MRK are required for LPA-induced stimulation of the p38 and ERK MAP kinases. In conclusion, we have identified MRK as a novel RhoC effector that controls LPA-stimulated cell invasion at least in part by regulating myosin dynamics, ERK and p38.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Korkina
- Oncology and Cell Biology Center, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA
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33
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Spatial positive feedback at the onset of mitosis. Cell 2012; 149:1500-13. [PMID: 22726437 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Revised: 03/08/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Mitosis is triggered by the activation of Cdk1-cyclin B1 and its translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Positive feedback loops regulate the activation of Cdk1-cyclin B1 and help make the process irreversible and all-or-none in character. Here we examine whether an analogous process, spatial positive feedback, regulates Cdk1-cyclin B1 redistribution. We used chemical biology approaches and live-cell microscopy to show that nuclear Cdk1-cyclin B1 promotes the translocation of Cdk1-cyclin B1 to the nucleus. Mechanistic studies suggest that cyclin B1 phosphorylation promotes nuclear translocation and, conversely, nuclear translocation promotes cyclin B1 phosphorylation, accounting for the feedback. Interfering with the abruptness of Cdk1-cyclin B1 translocation affects the timing and synchronicity of subsequent mitotic events, underscoring the functional importance of this feedback. We propose that spatial positive feedback ensures a rapid, complete, robust, and irreversible transition from interphase to mitosis and suggest that bistable spatiotemporal switches may be widespread in biological regulation.
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34
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Luhovy AY, Jaberi A, Papillon J, Guillemette J, Cybulsky AV. Regulation of the Ste20-like kinase, SLK: involvement of activation segment phosphorylation. J Biol Chem 2011; 287:5446-58. [PMID: 22203681 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.302018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression and activation of the Ste20-like kinase, SLK, is increased during kidney development and recovery from ischemic acute kidney injury. SLK promotes apoptosis, and it may regulate cell survival during injury or repair. This study addresses the role of phosphorylation in the regulation of kinase activity. We mutated serine and threonine residues in the putative activation segment of the SLK catalytic domain and expressed wild type (WT) and mutant proteins in COS-1 or glomerular epithelial cells. Compared with SLK WT, the T183A, S189A, and T183A/S189A mutants showed reduced in vitro kinase activity. SLK WT, but not mutants, increased activation-specific phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 kinase. Similarly, SLK WT stimulated activator protein-1 reporter activity, but activation of activator protein-1 by the three SLK mutants was ineffective. To test if homodimerization of SLK affects phosphorylation, the cDNA encoding SLK amino acids 1-373 (which include the catalytic domain) was fused with a cDNA for a modified FK506-binding protein, Fv (Fv-SLK 1-373). After transfection, the addition of AP20187 (an FK506 analog) induced regulated dimerization of Fv-SLK 1-373. AP20187-stimulated dimerization enhanced the kinase activity of Fv-SLK 1-373 WT. In contrast, kinase activity of Fv-SLK 1-373 T183A/S189A was weak and was not enhanced after dimerization. Finally, apoptosis was increased after expression of Fv-SLK 1-373 WT but not T183A/S189A. Thus, phosphorylation of Thr-183 and Ser-189 plays a key role in the activation and signaling of SLK and could represent a target for novel therapeutic approaches to renal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Y Luhovy
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
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35
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Abstract
Cell migration is required for many physiological processes, including wound repair and embryogenesis, and relies on precisely orchestrated events that are regulated in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. Most traditional approaches for studying migration, such as genetic methods or the use of chemical inhibitors, do not offer insight into these important components of protein function. However, chemical tools, which respond on a more rapid time scale and in localized regions of the cell, are capable of providing more detailed, real-time information. This Review describes these recent approaches to investigate cell migration and focuses on proteins that are activated by light or small molecules, as well as fluorescent sensors of protein activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda N. Goguen
- Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Barbara Imperiali
- Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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36
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Delarosa S, Guillemette J, Papillon J, Han YS, Kristof AS, Cybulsky AV. Activity of the Ste20-like kinase, SLK, is enhanced by homodimerization. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2011; 301:F554-64. [PMID: 21677149 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00062.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression and activation of the Ste20-like kinase, SLK, is increased during renal development and recovery from ischemic acute renal failure. SLK promotes apoptosis, and during renal injury and repair, transcriptional induction or posttranscriptional control of SLK may, therefore, regulate cell survival. SLK contains protein interaction (coiled-coil) domains, suggesting that posttranslational homodimerization may also modulate SLK activity. We therefore expressed coiled-coil regions in the C-terminal domain of SLK as fusion proteins and demonstrated their homodimerization. By gel-filtration chromatography, endogenous and heterologously expressed SLK were detected in a macromolecular protein complex. To test the role of homodimerization in kinase activation, we constructed a fusion protein consisting of the SLK catalytic domain (amino acids 1-373) and a modified FK506 binding protein, Fv (Fv-SLK 1-373). Addition of AP20187 (an analog of FK506) enhanced the homodimerization of Fv-SLK 1-373. In an in vitro kinase assay, the dimeric Fv-SLK 1-373 displayed greater kinase activity than the monomeric form. In cells expressing Fv-SLK 1-373, homodimerization increased activation-specific phosphorylation of the proapoptotic kinases, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 kinase. Compared with the monomer, dimeric Fv-SLK 1-373 enhanced the activation of a Bax promoter-luciferase reporter. Finally, expression of Fv-SLK 1-373 induced apoptosis, and the effect was increased by homodimerization. Thus the activity, downstream signaling, and functional effects of SLK are enhanced by dimerization of the kinase domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra Delarosa
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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37
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Lombana TN, Echols N, Good MC, Thomsen ND, Ng HL, Greenstein AE, Falick AM, King DS, Alber T. Allosteric activation mechanism of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis receptor Ser/Thr protein kinase, PknB. Structure 2011; 18:1667-77. [PMID: 21134645 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2010.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Revised: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The essential Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ser/Thr protein kinase (STPK), PknB, plays a key role in regulating growth and division, but the structural basis of activation has not been defined. Here, we provide biochemical and structural evidence that dimerization through the kinase-domain (KD) N-lobe activates PknB by an allosteric mechanism. Promoting KD pairing using a small-molecule dimerizer stimulates the unphosphorylated kinase, and substitutions that disrupt N-lobe pairing decrease phosphorylation activity in vitro and in vivo. Multiple crystal structures of two monomeric PknB KD mutants in complex with nucleotide reveal diverse inactive conformations that contain large active-site distortions that propagate > 30 Å from the mutation site. These results define flexible, inactive structures of a monomeric bacterial receptor KD and show how "back-to-back" N-lobe dimerization stabilizes the active KD conformation. This general mechanism of bacterial receptor STPK activation affords insights into the regulation of homologous eukaryotic kinases that form structurally similar dimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Noelle Lombana
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, QB3 Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
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38
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Mentel M, Laketa V, Subramanian D, Gillandt H, Schultz C. Photoaktivierbares und zellmembranpermeables Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphat. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201007796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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39
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Mentel M, Laketa V, Subramanian D, Gillandt H, Schultz C. Photoactivatable and Cell-Membrane-Permeable Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-Trisphosphate. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011; 50:3811-4. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201007796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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40
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Schrader EK, Wilmington SR, Matouschek A. Making it easier to regulate protein stability. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 17:917-8. [PMID: 20851337 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ability to induce degradation of a protein of interest is a powerful experimental tool used to ascertain protein function. Iwamoto et al. (2010) describe a method that allows reversible and dose-dependent modulation of the stability of any target protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K Schrader
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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41
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Mehta S, Zhang J. Reporting from the field: genetically encoded fluorescent reporters uncover signaling dynamics in living biological systems. Annu Rev Biochem 2011; 80:375-401. [PMID: 21495849 PMCID: PMC4384825 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-060409-093259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Real-time visualization of a wide range of biochemical processes in living systems is being made possible through the development and application of genetically encoded fluorescent reporters. These versatile biosensors have proven themselves tailor-made to the study of signal transduction, and in this review, we discuss some of the unique insights that they continue to provide regarding the spatial organization and dynamic regulation of intracellular signaling networks. In addition, we explore the more recent push to expand the scope of biological phenomena that can be monitored using these reporters, while also considering the potential to integrate this highly adaptable technology with a number of emerging techniques that may significantly broaden our view of how networks of biochemical processes shape larger biological phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohum Mehta
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience and Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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42
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Peterson-Kaufman KJ, Carlson CD, Rodríguez-Martínez JA, Ansari AZ. Nucleating the assembly of macromolecular complexes. Chembiochem 2010; 11:1955-62. [PMID: 20812316 PMCID: PMC4176617 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201000255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Nature constructs intricate complexes containing numerous binding partners in order to direct a variety of cellular processes. Researchers have taken a cue from these events to develop synthetic molecules that can nucleate natural and unnatural interactions for a diverse set of applications. These molecules can be designed to drive protein dimerization or to modulate the interactions between proteins, lipids, DNA, or RNA and thereby alter cellular pathways. A variety of components within the cellular machinery can be recruited with or replaced by synthetic compounds. Directing the formation of multicomponent complexes with new synthetic molecules can allow unprecedented control over the cellular machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clayton D. Carlson
- Department of Biochemistry and the Genome Center, University of Wisconsin, 433 Babcock Drive. Madison, WI 53706
| | - José A. Rodríguez-Martínez
- Department of Biochemistry and the Genome Center, University of Wisconsin, 433 Babcock Drive. Madison, WI 53706
| | - Aseem Z. Ansari
- Department of Biochemistry and the Genome Center, University of Wisconsin, 433 Babcock Drive. Madison, WI 53706
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43
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Abstract
Natural products have evolved to encompass a broad spectrum of chemical and functional diversity. It is this diversity, along with their structural complexity, that enables nature's small molecules to target a nearly limitless number of biological macromolecules and to often do so in a highly selective fashion. Because of these characteristics, natural products have seen great success as therapeutic agents. However, this vast pool of compounds holds much promise beyond the development of future drugs. These features also make them ideal tools for the study of biological systems. Recent examples of the use of natural products and their derivatives as chemical probes to explore biological phenomena and assemble biochemical pathways are presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E. Carlson
- Departments of Chemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, 212 S. Hawthorne Drive, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
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44
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Abstract
Proteins are the most versatile among the various biological building blocks and a mature field of protein engineering has lead to many industrial and biomedical applications. But the strength of proteins—their versatility, dynamics and interactions—also complicates and hinders systems engineering. Therefore, the design of more sophisticated, multi-component protein systems appears to lag behind, in particular, when compared to the engineering of gene regulatory networks. Yet, synthetic biologists have started to tinker with the information flow through natural signaling networks or integrated protein switches. A successful strategy common to most of these experiments is their focus on modular interactions between protein domains or domains and peptide motifs. Such modular interaction swapping has rewired signaling in yeast, put mammalian cell morphology under the control of light, or increased the flux through a synthetic metabolic pathway. Based on this experience, we outline an engineering framework for the connection of reusable protein interaction devices into self-sufficient circuits. Such a framework should help to ‘refacture’ protein complexity into well-defined exchangeable devices for predictive engineering. We review the foundations and initial success stories of protein synthetic biology and discuss the challenges and promises on the way from protein- to protein systems design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raik Grünberg
- EMBL/CRG Systems Biology Research Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), UPF, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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45
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Gao X, Zhang J. FRET-based activity biosensors to probe compartmentalized signaling. Chembiochem 2010; 11:147-51. [PMID: 20014085 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200900594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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46
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Oberst A, Pop C, Tremblay AG, Blais V, Denault JB, Salvesen GS, Green DR. Inducible dimerization and inducible cleavage reveal a requirement for both processes in caspase-8 activation. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:16632-42. [PMID: 20308068 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.095083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Caspase-8 is a cysteine protease activated by membrane-bound receptors at the cytosolic face of the cell membrane, initiating the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Caspase-8 activation relies on recruitment of inactive monomeric zymogens to activated receptor complexes, where they produce a fully active enzyme composed of two catalytic domains. Although in vitro studies using drug-mediated affinity systems or kosmotropic salts to drive dimerization have indicated that uncleaved caspase-8 can be readily activated by dimerization alone, in vivo results using mouse models have reached the opposite conclusion. Furthermore, in addition to interdomain autoprocessing, caspase-8 can be cleaved by activated executioner caspases, and reports of whether this cleavage event can lead to activation of caspase-8 have been conflicting. Here, we address these questions by carrying out studies of the activation characteristics of caspase-8 mutants bearing prohibitive mutations at the interdomain cleavage sites both in vitro and in cell lines lacking endogenous caspase-8, and we find that elimination of these cleavage sites precludes caspase-8 activation by prodomain-driven dimerization. We then further explore the consequences of interdomain cleavage of caspase-8 by adapting the tobacco etch virus protease to create a system in which both the cleavage and the dimerization of caspase-8 can be independently controlled in living cells. We find that unlike the executioner caspases, which are readily activated by interdomain cleavage alone, neither dimerization nor cleavage of caspase-8 alone is sufficient to activate caspase-8 or induce apoptosis and that only the coordinated dimerization and cleavage of the zymogen produce efficient activation in vitro and apoptosis in cellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Oberst
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
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Grünberg R, Ferrar TS, van der Sloot AM, Constante M, Serrano L. Building blocks for protein interaction devices. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 38:2645-62. [PMID: 20215443 PMCID: PMC2860130 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkq152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we propose a framework for the design of synthetic protein networks from modular protein–protein or protein–peptide interactions and provide a starter toolkit of protein building blocks. Our proof of concept experiments outline a general work flow for part–based protein systems engineering. We streamlined the iterative BioBrick cloning protocol and assembled 25 synthetic multidomain proteins each from seven standardized DNA fragments. A systematic screen revealed two main factors controlling protein expression in Escherichia coli: obstruction of translation initiation by mRNA secondary structure or toxicity of individual domains. Eventually, 13 proteins were purified for further characterization. Starting from well-established biotechnological tools, two general–purpose interaction input and two readout devices were built and characterized in vitro. Constitutive interaction input was achieved with a pair of synthetic leucine zippers. The second interaction was drug-controlled utilizing the rapamycin-induced binding of FRB(T2098L) to FKBP12. The interaction kinetics of both devices were analyzed by surface plasmon resonance. Readout was based on Förster resonance energy transfer between fluorescent proteins and was quantified for various combinations of input and output devices. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of parts-based protein synthetic biology. Additionally, we identify future challenges and limitations of modular design along with approaches to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raik Grünberg
- EMBL/CRG Systems Biology Research Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), UPF, Barcelona and Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
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48
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Davis FP, Sali A. The overlap of small molecule and protein binding sites within families of protein structures. PLoS Comput Biol 2010; 6:e1000668. [PMID: 20140189 PMCID: PMC2816688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2009] [Accepted: 12/31/2009] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein–protein interactions are challenging targets for modulation by small molecules. Here, we propose an approach that harnesses the increasing structural coverage of protein complexes to identify small molecules that may target protein interactions. Specifically, we identify ligand and protein binding sites that overlap upon alignment of homologous proteins. Of the 2,619 protein structure families observed to bind proteins, 1,028 also bind small molecules (250–1000 Da), and 197 exhibit a statistically significant (p<0.01) overlap between ligand and protein binding positions. These “bi-functional positions”, which bind both ligands and proteins, are particularly enriched in tyrosine and tryptophan residues, similar to “energetic hotspots” described previously, and are significantly less conserved than mono-functional and solvent exposed positions. Homology transfer identifies ligands whose binding sites overlap at least 20% of the protein interface for 35% of domain–domain and 45% of domain–peptide mediated interactions. The analysis recovered known small-molecule modulators of protein interactions as well as predicted new interaction targets based on the sequence similarity of ligand binding sites. We illustrate the predictive utility of the method by suggesting structural mechanisms for the effects of sanglifehrin A on HIV virion production, bepridil on the cellular entry of anthrax edema factor, and fusicoccin on vertebrate developmental pathways. The results, available at http://pibase.janelia.org, represent a comprehensive collection of structurally characterized modulators of protein interactions, and suggest that homologous structures are a useful resource for the rational design of interaction modulators. Proteins function through their interactions with other biological molecules, including other proteins. Often times, these interactions underlie cellular processes that go awry in disease. Therefore, modulating these interactions with small molecules is an active area of research for new drugs to treat diseases and new chemical tools to dissect cellular interaction networks. However, targeting protein–protein interactions has proven to be more challenging than the typical drug targets found on individual proteins. Here, we present a computational approach that aims to help in this challenge by identifying regions of protein–protein interfaces that may be amenable to targeting by small molecules. Through a comprehensive analysis of all known protein structures, we identify closely related proteins that in one case bind a protein and in another case bind a small molecule. We find that a significant number of protein–protein interactions occur through surface regions that bind small molecules in related proteins. These “bi-functional” positions, which can bind both proteins and ligands, will serve as an additional piece of structural information that can aid experimentalists in developing small molecules that modulate protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred P. Davis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Ashburn, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FPD); (AS)
| | - Andrej Sali
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FPD); (AS)
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Sigalov AB. The SCHOOL of nature: I. Transmembrane signaling. SELF/NONSELF 2010; 1:4-39. [PMID: 21559175 PMCID: PMC3091606 DOI: 10.4161/self.1.1.10832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2009] [Revised: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 12/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Receptor-mediated transmembrane signaling plays an important role in health and disease. Recent significant advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking ligand binding to receptor activation revealed previously unrecognized striking similarities in the basic structural principles of function of numerous cell surface receptors. In this work, I demonstrate that the Signaling Chain Homooligomerization (SCHOOL)-based mechanism represents a general biological mechanism of transmembrane signal transduction mediated by a variety of functionally unrelated single- and multichain activating receptors. within the SCHOOL platform, ligand binding-induced receptor clustering is translated across the membrane into protein oligomerization in cytoplasmic milieu. This platform resolves a long-standing puzzle in transmembrane signal transduction and reveals the major driving forces coupling recognition and activation functions at the level of protein-protein interactions-biochemical processes that can be influenced and controlled. The basic principles of transmembrane signaling learned from the SCHOOL model can be used in different fields of immunology, virology, molecular and cell biology and others to describe, explain and predict various phenomena and processes mediated by a variety of functionally diverse and unrelated receptors. Beyond providing novel perspectives for fundamental research, the platform opens new avenues for drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B Sigalov
- Department of Pathology; University of Massachusetts Medical School; Worcester, MA USA
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Xu X, Colecraft HM. Engineering proteins for custom inhibition of Ca(V) channels. Physiology (Bethesda) 2009; 24:210-8. [PMID: 19675352 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00010.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The influx of Ca(2+) ions through voltage-dependent calcium (Ca(V)) channels links electrical signals to physiological responses in all excitable cells. Not surprisingly, blocking Ca(V) channel activity is a powerful method to regulate the function of excitable cells, and this is exploited for both physiological and therapeutic benefit. Nevertheless, the full potential for Ca(V) channel inhibition is not being realized by currently available small-molecule blockers or second-messenger modulators due to limitations in targeting them either to defined groups of cells in an organism or to distinct subcellular regions within a single cell. Here, we review early efforts to engineer protein molecule blockers of Ca(V) channels to fill this crucial niche. This technology would greatly expand the toolbox available to physiologists studying the biology of excitable cells at the cellular and systems level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghua Xu
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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