1
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Fage CD, Passmore M, Tatman BP, Smith HG, Jian X, Dissanayake UC, Andrés Cisneros G, Challis GL, Lewandowski JR, Jenner M. Molecular basis for short-chain thioester hydrolysis by acyl hydrolase domains in trans -acyltransferase polyketide synthases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.11.552765. [PMID: 37609184 PMCID: PMC10441421 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.11.552765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are multi-domain enzymatic assembly lines that biosynthesise a wide selection of bioactive natural products from simple building blocks. In contrast to their cis -acyltransferase (AT) counterparts, trans -AT PKSs rely on stand-alone AT domains to load extender units onto acyl carrier protein (ACP) domains embedded in the core PKS machinery. Trans -AT PKS gene clusters also encode acyl hydrolase (AH) domains, which are predicted to share the overall fold of AT domains, but hydrolyse aberrant acyl chains from ACP domains, thus ensuring efficient polyketide biosynthesis. How such domains specifically target short acyl chains, in particular acetyl groups, tethered as thioesters to the substrate-shuttling ACP domains, with hydrolytic rather than acyl transfer activity, has remained unclear. To answer these questions, we solved the first structure of an AH domain and performed structure-guided activity assays on active site variants. Our results offer key insights into chain length control and selection against coenzyme A-tethered substrates, and clarify how the interaction interface between AH and ACP domains contributes to recognition of cognate and non-cognate ACP domains. Combining our experimental findings with molecular dynamics simulations allowed for the production of a data-driven model of an AH:ACP domain complex. Our results advance the currently incomplete understanding of polyketide biosynthesis by trans -AT PKSs, and provide foundations for future bioengineering efforts.
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2
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Sirirungruang S, Ad O, Privalsky TM, Ramesh S, Sax JL, Dong H, Baidoo EEK, Amer B, Khosla C, Chang MCY. Engineering site-selective incorporation of fluorine into polyketides. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:886-893. [PMID: 35817967 PMCID: PMC10030150 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01070-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Although natural products and synthetic small molecules both serve important medicinal functions, their structures and chemical properties are relatively distinct. To expand the molecular diversity available for drug discovery, one strategy is to blend the effective attributes of synthetic and natural molecules. A key feature found in synthetic compounds that is rare in nature is the use of fluorine to tune drug behavior. We now report a method to site-selectively incorporate fluorine into complex structures to produce regioselectively fluorinated full-length polyketides. We engineered a fluorine-selective trans-acyltransferase to produce site-selectively fluorinated erythromycin precursors in vitro. We further demonstrated that these analogs could be produced in vivo in Escherichia coli on engineering of the fluorinated extender unit pool. By using engineered microbes, elaborate fluorinated compounds can be produced by fermentation, offering the potential for expanding the identification and development of bioactive fluorinated small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Omer Ad
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Swetha Ramesh
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joel L Sax
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Hongjun Dong
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Edward E K Baidoo
- Joint Bioenergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Energy, Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Bashar Amer
- Joint Bioenergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Chaitan Khosla
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michelle C Y Chang
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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3
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Abstract
X-ray crystallography enables detailed structural studies of proteins to understand and modulate their function. Conducting crystallographic experiments at cryogenic temperatures has practical benefits but potentially limits the identification of functionally important alternative protein conformations that can be revealed only at room temperature (RT). This review discusses practical aspects of preparing, acquiring, and analyzing X-ray crystallography data at RT to demystify preconceived impracticalities that freeze progress of routine RT data collection at synchrotron sources. Examples are presented as conceptual and experimental templates to enable the design of RT-inspired studies; they illustrate the diversity and utility of gaining novel insights into protein conformational landscapes. An integrative view of protein conformational dynamics enables opportunities to advance basic and biomedical research.
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4
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Thompson MC, Yeates TO, Rodriguez JA. Advances in methods for atomic resolution macromolecular structure determination. F1000Res 2020; 9:F1000 Faculty Rev-667. [PMID: 32676184 PMCID: PMC7333361 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.25097.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent technical advances have dramatically increased the power and scope of structural biology. New developments in high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy, serial X-ray crystallography, and electron diffraction have been especially transformative. Here we highlight some of the latest advances and current challenges at the frontiers of atomic resolution methods for elucidating the structures and dynamical properties of macromolecules and their complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Thompson
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Todd O. Yeates
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jose A. Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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5
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Polysaccharide-Based Injection Matrix for Serial Crystallography. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093332. [PMID: 32397185 PMCID: PMC7247560 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Serial crystallography (SX) provides an opportunity to observe the molecular dynamics of macromolecular structures at room temperature via pump-probe studies. The delivery of crystals embedded in a viscous medium via an injector or syringe is widely performed in synchrotrons or X-ray free-electron laser facilities with low repetition rates. Various viscous media have been developed; however, there are cases in which the delivery material undesirably interacts chemically or biologically with specific protein samples, or changes the stability of the injection stream, depending on the crystallization solution. Therefore, continued discovery and characterization of new delivery media is necessary for expanding future SX applications. Here, the preparation and characterization of new polysaccharide (wheat starch (WS) and alginate)-based sample delivery media are introduced for SX. Crystals embedded in a WS or alginate injection medium showed a stable injection stream at a flow rate of < 200 nL/min and low-level X-ray background scattering similar to other hydrogels. Using these media, serial millisecond crystallography (SMX) was performed, and the room temperature crystal structures of glucose isomerase and lysozyme were determined at 1.9–2.0 Å resolutions. WS and alginate will allow an expanded application of sample delivery media in SX experiments.
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6
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Abstract
The advent of the X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) in the last decade created the discipline of serial crystallography but also the challenge of how crystal samples are delivered to X-ray. Early sample delivery methods demonstrated the proof-of-concept for serial crystallography and XFEL but were beset with challenges of high sample consumption, jet clogging and low data collection efficiency. The potential of XFEL and serial crystallography as the next frontier of structural solution by X-ray for small and weakly diffracting crystals and provision of ultra-fast time-resolved structural data spawned a huge amount of scientific interest and innovation. To utilize the full potential of XFEL and broaden its applicability to a larger variety of biological samples, researchers are challenged to develop better sample delivery methods. Thus, sample delivery is one of the key areas of research and development in the serial crystallography scientific community. Sample delivery currently falls into three main systems: jet-based methods, fixed-target chips, and drop-on-demand. Huge strides have since been made in reducing sample consumption and improving data collection efficiency, thus enabling the use of XFEL for many biological systems to provide high-resolution, radiation damage-free structural data as well as time-resolved dynamics studies. This review summarizes the current main strategies in sample delivery and their respective pros and cons, as well as some future direction.
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7
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Zhao F, Zhang B, Yan E, Sun B, Wang Z, He J, Yin D. A guide to sample delivery systems for serial crystallography. FEBS J 2019; 286:4402-4417. [PMID: 31618529 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Feng‐Zhu Zhao
- School of Life Sciences Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
| | - Bin Zhang
- School of Life Sciences Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
| | - Er‐Kai Yan
- School of Life Sciences Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
| | - Bo Sun
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China
| | - Zhi‐Jun Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China
| | - Jian‐Hua He
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China
| | - Da‐Chuan Yin
- School of Life Sciences Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
- Shenzhen Research Institute Northwestern Polytechnical University Shenzhen China
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8
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Echelmeier A, Kim D, Cruz Villarreal J, Coe J, Quintana S, Brehm G, Egatz-Gomez A, Nazari R, Sierra RG, Koglin JE, Batyuk A, Hunter MS, Boutet S, Zatsepin N, Kirian RA, Grant TD, Fromme P, Ros A. 3D printed droplet generation devices for serial femtosecond crystallography enabled by surface coating. J Appl Crystallogr 2019; 52:997-1008. [PMID: 31636518 PMCID: PMC6782075 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576719010343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of surface wetting properties and their impact on the performance of 3D printed microfluidic droplet generation devices for serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) are reported. SFX is a novel crystallography method enabling structure determination of proteins at room temperature with atomic resolution using X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). In SFX, protein crystals in their mother liquor are delivered and intersected with a pulsed X-ray beam using a liquid jet injector. Owing to the pulsed nature of the X-ray beam, liquid jets tend to waste the vast majority of injected crystals, which this work aims to overcome with the delivery of aqueous protein crystal suspension droplets segmented by an oil phase. For this purpose, 3D printed droplet generators that can be easily customized for a variety of XFEL measurements have been developed. The surface properties, in particular the wetting properties of the resist materials compatible with the employed two-photon printing technology, have so far not been characterized extensively, but are crucial for stable droplet generation. This work investigates experimentally the effectiveness and the long-term stability of three different surface treatments on photoresist films and glass as models for our 3D printed droplet generator and the fused silica capillaries employed in the other fluidic components of an SFX experiment. Finally, the droplet generation performance of an assembly consisting of the 3D printed device and fused silica capillaries is examined. Stable and reproducible droplet generation was achieved with a fluorinated surface coating which also allowed for robust downstream droplet delivery. Experimental XFEL diffraction data of crystals formed from the large membrane protein complex photosystem I demonstrate the full compatibility of the new injection method with very fragile membrane protein crystals and show that successful droplet generation of crystal-laden aqueous droplets intersected by an oil phase correlates with increased crystal hit rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Echelmeier
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Daihyun Kim
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Jorvani Cruz Villarreal
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Jesse Coe
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Sebastian Quintana
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Gerrit Brehm
- Institute for X-ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ana Egatz-Gomez
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Reza Nazari
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Raymond G. Sierra
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - Jason E. Koglin
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - Alexander Batyuk
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - Mark S. Hunter
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - Sébastien Boutet
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - Nadia Zatsepin
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Richard A. Kirian
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Thomas D. Grant
- Hauptman-Woodward Institute, Department of Structural Biology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Petra Fromme
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Alexandra Ros
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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9
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Kosol S, Jenner M, Lewandowski JR, Challis GL. Protein-protein interactions in trans-AT polyketide synthases. Nat Prod Rep 2019; 35:1097-1109. [PMID: 30280735 DOI: 10.1039/c8np00066b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2018 The construction of polyketide natural products by type I modular polyketide synthases (PKSs) requires the coordinated action of several protein subunits to ensure biosynthetic fidelity. This is particularly the case for trans-AT PKSs, which in contrast to most cis-AT PKSs, contain split modules and employ several trans-acting catalytic domains. This article summarises recent advances in understanding the protein-protein interactions underpinning subunit assembly and intra-subunit communication in such systems and highlights potential avenues and approaches for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kosol
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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10
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Echelmeier A, Sonker M, Ros A. Microfluidic sample delivery for serial crystallography using XFELs. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:6535-6547. [PMID: 31250066 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-01977-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) with X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) is an emerging field for structural biology. One of its major impacts lies in the ability to reveal the structure of complex proteins previously inaccessible with synchrotron-based crystallography techniques and allowing time-resolved studies from femtoseconds to seconds. The nature of this serial technique requires new approaches for crystallization, data analysis, and sample delivery. With continued advancements in microfabrication techniques, various developments have been reported in the past decade for innovative and efficient microfluidic sample delivery for crystallography experiments using XFELs. This article summarizes the recent developments in microfluidic sample delivery with liquid injection and fixed-target approaches, which allow exciting new research with XFELs. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Echelmeier
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Box 871604, Tempe, AZ, 85287-1604, USA.,Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Box 875001, Tempe, AZ, 85287-7401, USA
| | - Mukul Sonker
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Box 871604, Tempe, AZ, 85287-1604, USA.,Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Box 875001, Tempe, AZ, 85287-7401, USA
| | - Alexandra Ros
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Box 871604, Tempe, AZ, 85287-1604, USA. .,Center for Applied Structural Discovery, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Box 875001, Tempe, AZ, 85287-7401, USA.
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11
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Chen H, Bian Z, Ravichandran V, Li R, Sun Y, Huo L, Fu J, Bian X, Xia L, Tu Q, Zhang Y. Biosynthesis of polyketides by trans-AT polyketide synthases in Burkholderiales. Crit Rev Microbiol 2019; 45:162-181. [PMID: 31218924 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2018.1514365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Widely used as drugs and agrochemicals, polyketides are a family of bioactive natural products, with diverse structures and functions. Polyketides are produced by megaenzymes termed as polyketide synthases (PKSs). PKS biosynthetic pathways are divided into the cis-AT PKSs and trans-AT PKSs; a division based mainly on the absence of an acyltransferase (AT) domain in the trans-AT PKS modules. In trans-AT biosynthesis, the AT activity is contributed via one or several independent proteins, and there are few other characteristics that distinguish trans-AT PKSs from cis-AT PKSs, especially in the formation of the β-branch. The trans-AT PKSs constitute a major PKS pathway, and many are found in Burkholderia species, which are prevalent in the environment and prolific sources of polyketides. This review summarizes studies from 1973 to 2017 on the biosynthesis of natural products by trans-AT PKSs from Burkholderia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Chen
- a Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Sciences , Shandong University , Qingdao , People's Republic of China.,b State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Molecular Biology, College of Life Science , Hunan Normal University , Changsha , People's Republic of China
| | - Zhilong Bian
- a Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Sciences , Shandong University , Qingdao , People's Republic of China
| | - Vinothkannan Ravichandran
- a Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Sciences , Shandong University , Qingdao , People's Republic of China
| | - Ruijuan Li
- a Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Sciences , Shandong University , Qingdao , People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Sun
- c Institute of Chinese Materia Medica , China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences , Beijing , People's Republic of China
| | - Liujie Huo
- a Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Sciences , Shandong University , Qingdao , People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Fu
- a Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Sciences , Shandong University , Qingdao , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoying Bian
- a Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Sciences , Shandong University , Qingdao , People's Republic of China
| | - Liqiu Xia
- b State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Molecular Biology, College of Life Science , Hunan Normal University , Changsha , People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Tu
- a Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Sciences , Shandong University , Qingdao , People's Republic of China
| | - Youming Zhang
- a Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Sciences , Shandong University , Qingdao , People's Republic of China.,b State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Molecular Biology, College of Life Science , Hunan Normal University , Changsha , People's Republic of China
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12
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Mishin A, Gusach A, Luginina A, Marin E, Borshchevskiy V, Cherezov V. An outlook on using serial femtosecond crystallography in drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:933-945. [PMID: 31184514 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1626822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: X-ray crystallography has made important contributions to modern drug development but its application to many important drug targets has been extremely challenging. The recent emergence of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) and advancements in serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) have offered new opportunities to overcome limitations of traditional crystallography to accelerate the structure-based drug discovery (SBDD) process. Areas covered: In this review, the authors describe the general principles of X-ray generation and the main properties of XFEL beams, outline details of SFX data collection and processing, and summarize the progress in the development of associated instrumentation for sample delivery and X-ray detection. An overview of the SFX applications to various important drug targets such as membrane proteins is also provided. Expert opinion: While SFX has already made clear advancements toward the understanding of the structure and dynamics of several major drug targets, its robust application in SBDD still needs further developments of new high-throughput techniques for sample production, automation of crystal delivery and data collection, as well as for processing and storage of large amounts of data. The expansion of the available XFEL beamtime is a key to the success of SFX in SBDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Mishin
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Anastasiia Gusach
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Aleksandra Luginina
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Egor Marin
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Valentin Borshchevskiy
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia.,b Bridge Institute, Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of Southern California , Los Angeles , CA , USA
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13
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Nylon mesh-based sample holder for fixed-target serial femtosecond crystallography. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6971. [PMID: 31061502 PMCID: PMC6502819 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43485-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Fixed-target serial femtosecond crystallography (FT-SFX) was an important advance in crystallography by dramatically reducing sample consumption, while maintaining the benefits of SFX for obtaining crystal structures at room temperature without radiation damage. Despite a number of advantages, preparation of a sample holder for the sample delivery in FT-SFX with the use of many crystals in a single mount at ambient temperature is challenging as it can be complicated and costly, and thus, development of an efficient sample holder is essential. In this study, we introduced a nylon mesh-based sample holder enclosed by a polyimide film. This sample holder can be rapidly manufactured using a commercially available nylon mesh with pores of a desired size at a low cost without challenging technology. Furthermore, this simple device is highly efficient in data acquisition. We performed FT-SFX using a nylon mesh-based sample holder and collected over 130,000 images on a single sample holder using a 30 Hz X-ray pulse for 1.2 h. We determined the crystal structures of lysozyme and glucose isomerase using the nylon mesh at 1.65 and 1.75 Å, respectively. The nylon mesh exposed to X-rays produced very low levels of background scattering at 3.75 and 4.30 Å, which are negligible for data analysis. Our method provides a simple and rapid but highly efficient way to deliver samples for FT-SFX.
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14
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Martiel I, Müller-Werkmeister HM, Cohen AE. Strategies for sample delivery for femtosecond crystallography. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2019; 75:160-177. [PMID: 30821705 PMCID: PMC6400256 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798318017953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly efficient data-collection methods are required for successful macromolecular crystallography (MX) experiments at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). XFEL beamtime is scarce, and the high peak brightness of each XFEL pulse destroys the exposed crystal volume. It is therefore necessary to combine diffraction images from a large number of crystals (hundreds to hundreds of thousands) to obtain a final data set, bringing about sample-refreshment challenges that have previously been unknown to the MX synchrotron community. In view of this experimental complexity, a number of sample delivery methods have emerged, each with specific requirements, drawbacks and advantages. To provide useful selection criteria for future experiments, this review summarizes the currently available sample delivery methods, emphasising the basic principles and the specific sample requirements. Two main approaches to sample delivery are first covered: (i) injector methods with liquid or viscous media and (ii) fixed-target methods using large crystals or using microcrystals inside multi-crystal holders or chips. Additionally, hybrid methods such as acoustic droplet ejection and crystal extraction are covered, which combine the advantages of both fixed-target and injector approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Martiel
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Henrike M. Müller-Werkmeister
- Institute of Chemistry – Physical Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Aina E. Cohen
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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Musiol-Kroll EM, Wohlleben W. Acyltransferases as Tools for Polyketide Synthase Engineering. Antibiotics (Basel) 2018; 7:antibiotics7030062. [PMID: 30022008 PMCID: PMC6164871 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics7030062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyketides belong to the most valuable natural products, including diverse bioactive compounds, such as antibiotics, anticancer drugs, antifungal agents, immunosuppressants and others. Their structures are assembled by polyketide synthases (PKSs). Modular PKSs are composed of modules, which involve sets of domains catalysing the stepwise polyketide biosynthesis. The acyltransferase (AT) domains and their “partners”, the acyl carrier proteins (ACPs), thereby play an essential role. The AT loads the building blocks onto the “substrate acceptor”, the ACP. Thus, the AT dictates which building blocks are incorporated into the polyketide structure. The precursor- and occasionally the ACP-specificity of the ATs differ across the polyketide pathways and therefore, the ATs contribute to the structural diversity within this group of complex natural products. Those features make the AT enzymes one of the most promising tools for manipulation of polyketide assembly lines and generation of new polyketide compounds. However, the AT-based PKS engineering is still not straightforward and thus, rational design of functional PKSs requires detailed understanding of the complex machineries. This review summarizes the attempts of PKS engineering by exploiting the AT attributes for the modification of polyketide structures. The article includes 253 references and covers the most relevant literature published until May 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Maria Musiol-Kroll
- Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Wohlleben
- Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Miyanaga A, Ouchi R, Ishikawa F, Goto E, Tanabe G, Kudo F, Eguchi T. Structural Basis of Protein–Protein Interactions between a trans-Acting Acyltransferase and Acyl Carrier Protein in Polyketide Disorazole Biosynthesis. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:7970-7978. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b04162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Akimasa Miyanaga
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
| | - Risako Ouchi
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Ishikawa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Ena Goto
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
| | - Genzoh Tanabe
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Kudo
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
| | - Tadashi Eguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
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Kalkreuter E, Williams GJ. Engineering enzymatic assembly lines for the production of new antimicrobials. Curr Opin Microbiol 2018; 45:140-148. [PMID: 29733997 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A large portion of natural products are biosynthesized by the polyketide synthase and non-ribosomal peptide synthetase enzymatic assembly lines. Recent advancements in the study of these megasynthases has led to many new examples that demonstrate the production of non-natural natural products. The field is likely nearing the ability to design and build new biosynthetic pathways de novo. We discuss the various recent approaches taken towards this goal, focusing on the installation of new substrates, the swapping of enzymatic domains and modules, and the impact of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. We also address the challenges remaining alongside the many successes in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Kalkreuter
- Department of Chemistry, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States; Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Gavin J Williams
- Department of Chemistry, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States; Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States.
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Thompson MC, Cascio D, Yeates TO. Microfocus diffraction from different regions of a protein crystal: structural variations and unit-cell polymorphism. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2018; 74:411-421. [PMID: 29717712 PMCID: PMC5930349 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798318003479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Real macromolecular crystals can be non-ideal in a myriad of ways. This often creates challenges for structure determination, while also offering opportunities for greater insight into the crystalline state and the dynamic behavior of macromolecules. To evaluate whether different parts of a single crystal of a dynamic protein, EutL, might be informative about crystal and protein polymorphism, a microfocus X-ray synchrotron beam was used to collect a series of 18 separate data sets from non-overlapping regions of the same crystal specimen. A principal component analysis (PCA) approach was employed to compare the structure factors and unit cells across the data sets, and it was found that the 18 data sets separated into two distinct groups, with large R values (in the 40% range) and significant unit-cell variations between the members of the two groups. This categorization mapped the different data-set types to distinct regions of the crystal specimen. Atomic models of EutL were then refined against two different data sets obtained by separately merging data from the two distinct groups. A comparison of the two resulting models revealed minor but discernable differences in certain segments of the protein structure, and regions of higher deviation were found to correlate with regions where larger dynamic motions were predicted to occur by normal-mode molecular-dynamics simulations. The findings emphasize that large spatially dependent variations may be present across individual macromolecular crystals. This information can be uncovered by simultaneous analysis of multiple partial data sets and can be exploited to reveal new insights about protein dynamics, while also improving the accuracy of the structure-factor data ultimately obtained in X-ray diffraction experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Thompson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Duilio Cascio
- UCLA–DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Todd O. Yeates
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- UCLA–DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Los Angeles, California, USA
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