1
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Essig YJ, Leszczyszyn OI, Almutairi N, Harrison-Smith A, Blease A, Zeitoun-Ghandour S, Webb SM, Blindauer CA, Stürzenbaum SR. Juggling cadmium detoxification and zinc homeostasis: A division of labour between the two C. elegans metallothioneins. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 350:141021. [PMID: 38151062 PMCID: PMC11134313 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.141021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The chemical properties of toxic cadmium and essential zinc are very similar, and organisms require intricate mechanisms that drive selective handling of metals. Previously regarded as unspecific "metal sponges", metallothioneins (MTLs) are emerging as metal selectivity filters. By utilizing C. elegans mtl-1 and mtl-2 knockout strains, metal accumulation in single worms, single copy fluorescent-tagged transgenes, isoform specific qPCR and lifespan studies it was possible to demonstrate that the handling of cadmium and zinc by the two C. elegans metallothioneins differs fundamentally: the MTL-2 protein can handle both zinc and cadmium, but when it becomes unavailable, either via a knockout or by elevated cadmium exposure, MTL-1 takes over zinc handling, leaving MTL-2 to sequester cadmium. This division of labour is reflected in the folding behaviour of the proteins: MTL-1 folded well in presence of zinc but not cadmium, the reverse was the case for MTL-2. These differences are in part mediated by a zinc-specific mononuclear His3Cys site in the C-terminal insertion of MTL-1; its removal affected the entire C-terminal domain and may shift its metal selectivity towards zinc. Overall, we uncover how metallothionein isoform-specific responses and protein properties allow C. elegans to differentiate between toxic cadmium and essential zinc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yona J Essig
- Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences Department, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Oksana I Leszczyszyn
- Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences Department, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Norah Almutairi
- Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences Department, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Alix Blease
- Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences Department, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sam M Webb
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | | | - Stephen R Stürzenbaum
- Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences Department, King's College London, London, UK.
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2
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Valsecchi R, Baumann C, Lila A, Zerbe O. Evolution of Cd2+ and Cu+ binding in Helix pomatia metallothioneins. Metallomics 2023; 15:mfad057. [PMID: 37738453 PMCID: PMC10548783 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfad057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are small proteins present in all kingdoms of life. Their high cysteine content enables them to bind metal ions, such as Zn2+, Cd2+, and Cu+, providing means for detoxification and metal homeostasis. Three MT isoforms with distinct metal binding preferences are present in the Roman Snail Helix pomatia. Here, we use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to follow the evolution of Cd2+ and Cu+ binding from the reconstructed ancestral Stylommatophora MT to the three H. pomatia MT (HpMT) isoforms. Information obtained from [15N,1H]-HSQC spectra and T2 relaxation times are combined to describe the conformational stability of the MT-metal complexes. A well-behaved MT-metal complex adopts a unique structure and does not undergo additional conformational exchange. The ancestor to all three HpMTs forms conformationally stable Cd2+ complexes and closely resembles the Cd2+-specific HpCdMT isoform, suggesting a role in Cd2+ detoxification for the ancestral protein. All Cu+-MT complexes, including the Cu+-specific HpCuMT isoform, undergo a considerable amount of conformational exchange. The unspecific HpCd/CuMT and the Cu+-specific HpCuMT isoforms form Cu+ complexes with comparable characteristics. It is possible to follow how Cd2+ and Cu+ binding changed throughout evolution. Interestingly, Cu+ binding improved independently in the lineages leading to the unspecific and the Cu+-specific HpMT isoforms. C-terminal domains are generally less capable of coordinating the non-cognate metal ion than N-terminal domains, indicating a higher level of specialization of the C-domain. Our findings provide new insights into snail MT evolution, helping to understand the interplay between biological function and structural features toward a comprehensive understanding of metal preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Valsecchi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Switzerland
| | - Christian Baumann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Switzerland
| | - Ardit Lila
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Zerbe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Switzerland
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3
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García-Risco M, Calatayud S, Pedrini-Martha V, Albalat R, Palacios Ò, Capdevila M, Dallinger R. A de novo evolved domain improves the cadmium detoxification capacity of limpet metallothioneins. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8895. [PMID: 37264073 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35786-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) constitute an important family of metal binding proteins. Mollusk MTs, in particular, have been used as model systems to better understand the evolution of their metal binding features and functional adaptation. In the present study two recombinantly produced MTs, LgiMT1 and LgiMT2, and their de novo evolved γ domain, of the marine limpet Lottia gigantea, were analyzed by electronic spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Both MT proteins, as well as their γ domains, exhibit a strong binding specificity for Cd(II), but not for Zn(II) or Cu(I). The LgiMTs' γ domain renders an MII4(SCys)10 cluster with an increased Cd stoichiometry (binding 4 instead of 3 Cd2+ ions), representing a novel structural element in the world of MTs, probably featuring an adamantane 3D structure. This cluster significantly improves the Cd(II)-binding performance of the full length proteins and thus contributes to the particularly high Cd coping capacity observed in free-living limpets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario García-Risco
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Sara Calatayud
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Veronika Pedrini-Martha
- Institute of Zoology, Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ricard Albalat
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Òscar Palacios
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Mercè Capdevila
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Institute of Zoology, Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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4
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Neuhaus D. Zinc finger structure determination by NMR: Why zinc fingers can be a handful. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 130-131:62-105. [PMID: 36113918 PMCID: PMC7614390 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Zinc fingers can be loosely defined as protein domains containing one or more tetrahedrally-co-ordinated zinc ions whose role is to stabilise the structure rather than to be involved in enzymatic chemistry; such zinc ions are often referred to as "structural zincs". Although structural zincs can occur in proteins of any size, they assume particular significance for very small protein domains, where they are often essential for maintaining a folded state. Such small structures, that sometimes have only marginal stability, can present particular difficulties in terms of sample preparation, handling and structure determination, and early on they gained a reputation for being resistant to crystallisation. As a result, NMR has played a more prominent role in structural studies of zinc finger proteins than it has for many other types of proteins. This review will present an overview of the particular issues that arise for structure determination of zinc fingers by NMR, and ways in which these may be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Neuhaus
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
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5
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O'Callaghan I, Fitzpatrick D, Sullivan T. Thiophilicity is a determinant of bioaccumulation in benthic fauna. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 294:118641. [PMID: 34890745 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic contamination can settle into sediments, where it complexes with organic matter and becomes bioavailable. The resulting bioaccumulation of these contaminants by benthic fauna poses a serious threat due to the potential for trophic transfer. This paper offers an insight into the heterogenous accumulation behavior of different elements, and the consequences for ecological risk. In this study, we present field quantification of sediment-associated bioaccumulation factors (BAFS) in freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates. 17 elements were quantified using ICP-MS in sediment and Asellus aquaticus and Gammarus sp. samples. Previously published reports of contaminant concentrations in freshwater and marine sediments and benthic fauna were likewise analyzed to provide a complementary picture of bioaccumulation across contaminants and taxa. We demonstrate that the BAFS correlates strongly with the thiophilicity of the elemental contaminants, as defined by (Kepp, 2016), for all strata examined. These findings support the hypothesis that thiol-mediated processes, such as that of metallothionein, play a larger role in bioaccumulation than typically afforded. In conclusion, we demonstrate the potential for the thiophilic scale to act as a predictor of accumulation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene O'Callaghan
- School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland; School of Chemistry, University College Cork, Ireland.
| | | | - Timothy Sullivan
- School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland; Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland
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6
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García-Risco M, Calatayud S, Pedrini-Martha V, Albalat R, Dallinger R, Palacios Ò, Capdevila M. Metal-Specificity Divergence between Metallothioneins of Nerita peloronta (Neritimorpha, Gastropoda) Sets the Starting Point for a Novel Chemical MT Classification Proposal. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13114. [PMID: 34884919 PMCID: PMC8658704 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Metallothioneins' (MTs) biological function has been a matter of debate since their discovery. The importance to categorize these cysteine-rich proteins with high coordinating capacity into a specific group led to numerous classification proposals. We proposed a classification based on their metal-binding abilities, gradually sorting them from those with high selectivity towards Zn/Cd to those that are Cu-specific. However, the study of the NpeMT1 and NpeMT2isoforms of Nerita peloronta, has put a new perspective on this classification. N. peloronta has been chosen as a representative mollusk to elucidate the metal-binding abilities of Neritimorpha MTs, an order without any MTs characterized recently. Both isoforms have been recombinantly synthesized in cultures supplemented with ZnII, CdII, or CuII, and the purified metal-MT complexes have been thoroughly characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, leading to results that confirmed that Neritimorpha share Cd-selective MTs with Caenogastropoda and Heterobranchia, solving a so far unresolved question. NpeMTs show high coordinating preferences towards divalent metal ions, although one of them (NpeMT1) shares features with the so-called genuine Zn-thioneins, while the other (NpeMT2) exhibits a higher preference for Cd. The dissimilarities between the two isoforms let a window open to a new proposal of chemical MT classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario García-Risco
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (M.G.-R.); (Ò.P.)
| | - Sara Calatayud
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Veronika Pedrini-Martha
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Ricard Albalat
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Òscar Palacios
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (M.G.-R.); (Ò.P.)
| | - Mercè Capdevila
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (M.G.-R.); (Ò.P.)
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7
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Calatayud S, Garcia-Risco M, Palacios Ò, Capdevila M, Cañestro C, Albalat R. Tunicates Illuminate the Enigmatic Evolution of Chordate Metallothioneins by Gene Gains and Losses, Independent Modular Expansions, and Functional Convergences. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:4435-4448. [PMID: 34146103 PMCID: PMC8476144 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate novel patterns and processes of protein evolution, we have focused in the metallothioneins (MTs), a singular group of metal-binding, cysteine-rich proteins that, due to their high degree of sequence diversity, still represents a "black hole" in Evolutionary Biology. We have identified and analyzed more than 160 new MTs in nonvertebrate chordates (especially in 37 species of ascidians, 4 thaliaceans, and 3 appendicularians) showing that prototypic tunicate MTs are mono-modular proteins with a pervasive preference for cadmium ions, whereas vertebrate and cephalochordate MTs are bimodular proteins with diverse metal preferences. These structural and functional differences imply a complex evolutionary history of chordate MTs-including de novo emergence of genes and domains, processes of convergent evolution, events of gene gains and losses, and recurrent amplifications of functional domains-that would stand for an unprecedented case in the field of protein evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Calatayud
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Mario Garcia-Risco
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Òscar Palacios
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Mercè Capdevila
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Cristian Cañestro
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ricard Albalat
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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8
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Yuan G, Curtolo F, Deng Y, Wu T, Tian F, Ma Q, Liu Y, Zuo J, Arantes GM, Zheng P. Highly Dynamic Polynuclear Metal Cluster Revealed in a Single Metallothionein Molecule. RESEARCH 2021; 2021:9756945. [PMID: 34368766 PMCID: PMC8299258 DOI: 10.34133/2021/9756945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Human metallothionein (MT) is a small-size yet efficient metal-binding protein, playing an essential role in metal homeostasis and heavy metal detoxification. MT contains two domains, each forming a polynuclear metal cluster with an exquisite hexatomic ring structure. The apoprotein is intrinsically disordered, which may strongly influence the clusters and the metal-thiolate (M-S) bonds, leading to a highly dynamic structure. However, these features are challenging to identify due to the transient nature of these species. The individual signal from dynamic conformations with different states of the cluster and M-S bond will be averaged and blurred in classic ensemble measurement. To circumvent these problems, we combined a single-molecule approach and multiscale molecular simulations to investigate the rupture mechanism and chemical stability of the metal cluster by a single MT molecule, focusing on the Zn4S11 cluster in the α domain upon unfolding. Unusual multiple unfolding pathways and intermediates are observed for both domains, corresponding to different combinations of M-S bond rupture. None of the pathways is clearly preferred suggesting that unfolding proceeds from the distribution of protein conformational substates with similar M-S bond strengths. Simulations indicate that the metal cluster may rearrange, forming and breaking metal-thiolate bonds even when MT is folded independently of large protein backbone reconfiguration. Thus, a highly dynamic polynuclear metal cluster with multiple conformational states is revealed in MT, responsible for the binding promiscuity and diverse cellular functions of this metal-carrier protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Felipe Curtolo
- Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Yibing Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Tao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Fang Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Qun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yutong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Jinglin Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Guilherme Menegon Arantes
- Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Peng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
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9
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Calatayud S, Garcia-Risco M, Capdevila M, Cañestro C, Palacios Ò, Albalat R. Modular Evolution and Population Variability of Oikopleura dioica Metallothioneins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:702688. [PMID: 34277643 PMCID: PMC8283569 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.702688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chordate Oikopleura dioica probably is the fastest evolving metazoan reported so far, and thereby, a suitable system in which to explore the limits of evolutionary processes. For this reason, and in order to gain new insights on the evolution of protein modularity, we have investigated the organization, function and evolution of multi-modular metallothionein (MT) proteins in O. dioica. MTs are a heterogeneous group of modular proteins defined by their cysteine (C)-rich domains, which confer the capacity of coordinating different transition metal ions. O. dioica has two MTs, a bi-modular OdiMT1 consisting of two domains (t-12C and 12C), and a multi-modular OdiMT2 with six t-12C/12C repeats. By means of mass spectrometry and spectroscopy of metal-protein complexes, we have shown that the 12C domain is able to autonomously bind four divalent metal ions, although the t-12C/12C pair –as it is found in OdiMT1– is the optimized unit for divalent metal binding. We have also shown a direct relationship between the number of the t-12C/12C repeats and the metal-binding capacity of the MTs, which means a stepwise mode of functional and structural evolution for OdiMT2. Finally, after analyzing four different O. dioica populations worldwide distributed, we have detected several OdiMT2 variants with changes in their number of t-12C/12C domain repeats. This finding reveals that the number of repeats fluctuates between current O. dioica populations, which provides a new perspective on the evolution of domain repeat proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Calatayud
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mario Garcia-Risco
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Mercè Capdevila
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Cristian Cañestro
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Òscar Palacios
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ricard Albalat
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Calatayud S, Garcia-Risco M, Pedrini-Martha V, Eernisse DJ, Dallinger R, Palacios Ò, Capdevila M, Albalat R. Modularity in Protein Evolution: Modular Organization and De Novo Domain Evolution in Mollusk Metallothioneins. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:424-436. [PMID: 32915992 PMCID: PMC7826182 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are proteins devoted to the control of metal homeostasis and detoxification, and therefore, MTs have been crucial for the adaptation of the living beings to variable situations of metal bioavailability. The evolution of MTs is, however, not yet fully understood, and to provide new insights into it, we have investigated the MTs in the diverse classes of Mollusks. We have shown that most molluskan MTs are bimodular proteins that combine six domains—α, β1, β2, β3, γ, and δ—in a lineage-specific manner. We have functionally characterized the Neritimorpha β3β1 and the Patellogastropoda γβ1 MTs, demonstrating the metal-binding capacity of the new γ domain. Our results have revealed a modular organization of mollusk MT, whose evolution has been impacted by duplication, loss, and de novo emergence of domains. MTs represent a paradigmatic example of modular evolution probably driven by the structural and functional requirements of metal binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Calatayud
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Mario Garcia-Risco
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Veronika Pedrini-Martha
- Department of Zoology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Douglas J Eernisse
- Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Department of Zoology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Òscar Palacios
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Mercè Capdevila
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ricard Albalat
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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11
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García-Risco M, Calatayud S, Niederwanger M, Albalat R, Palacios Ò, Capdevila M, Dallinger R. Two Unconventional Metallothioneins in the Apple Snail Pomacea bridgesii Have Lost Their Metal Specificity during Adaptation to Freshwater Habitats. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010095. [PMID: 33374169 PMCID: PMC7796288 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are a diverse group of proteins responsible for the control of metal homeostasis and detoxification. To investigate the impact that environmental conditions might have had on the metal-binding abilities of these proteins, we have characterized the MTs from the apple snail Pomacea bridgesii, a gastropod species belonging to the class of Caenogastropoda with an amphibious lifestyle facing diverse situations of metal bioavailability. P. bridgesii has two structurally divergent MTs, named PbrMT1 and PbrMT2, that are longer than other gastropod MTs due to the presence of extra sequence motifs and metal-binding domains. We have characterized the Zn(II), Cd(II), and Cu(I) binding abilities of these two MTs after their heterologous expression in E. coli. Our results have revealed that despite their structural differences, both MTs share an unspecific metal-binding character, and a great ability to cope with elevated amounts of different metal ions. Our analyses have also revealed slight divergences in their metal-binding features: PbrMT1 shows a more pronounced Zn(II)-thionein character than PbrMT2, while the latter has a stronger Cu(I)-thionein character. The characterization of these two unconventional PbrMTs supports the loss of the metal-binding specificity during the evolution of the MTs of the Ampullariid family, and further suggests an evolutionary link of this loss with the adaptation of these gastropod lineages to metal-poor freshwater habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario García-Risco
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (M.G.-R.); (Ò.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Sara Calatayud
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Michael Niederwanger
- Institute of Zoology, Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Ricard Albalat
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Òscar Palacios
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (M.G.-R.); (Ò.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Mercè Capdevila
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (M.G.-R.); (Ò.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Institute of Zoology, Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
- Correspondence:
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Douafer L, Zaidi N, Soltani N. Seasonal variation of biomarker responses in Cantareus aspersus and physic-chemical properties of soils from Northeast Algeria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:24145-24161. [PMID: 32304057 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08694-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study belongs to the biomonitoring program of soil qualities using a land snail, Cantareus aspersus, as bioindicator. The metal-soil contamination in some sites (National Park of El Kala (NPK), El Bouni, Sidi Amar, Nechmaya, and Guelma) located in Northeast Algeria were determined during two seasons (winter and spring 2015, 2016). Glutathione (GSH) content and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were significantly decreased in snails collected during spring as compared with those noticed during winter under bioclimate change. In addition, a significant difference between various sites was observed, depending on the proximity to pollution sources. The significant variation of biomarker levels is a function of the physic-chemical properties of soils when they positively correlated with EC, H, and OM, and negatively correlated with all metallic elements. Moreover, Fe and Al2O3 are the most abundant in all the sites, and the most polluted site was found as that of El Bouni, followed by Sidi Amar, Nechmaya, and Guelma, since NPK is the less polluted site and considered a reference site. The tested biomarkers are sensitive oxidative parameters in snails exposed to pollution correlated significantly with the soil physic-chemical properties and metallic element contents in soil. Indeed, C. aspersus could be used as sentinel species in field monitoring of Mediterranean climate regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louiza Douafer
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Badji Mokhtar of Annaba, 23000, Annaba, Algeria.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mila, 43000, Mila, Algeria.
| | - Nedjoua Zaidi
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Laboratory for the Optimization of Agricultural in Subhumid Areas, Faculty of Sciences, University of Skikda, 21000, Skikda, Algeria
| | - Noureddine Soltani
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Badji Mokhtar of Annaba, 23000, Annaba, Algeria
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Cadmium Uptake, MT Gene Activation and Structure of Large-Sized Multi-Domain Metallothioneins in the Terrestrial Door Snail Alinda biplicata (Gastropoda, Clausiliidae). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051631. [PMID: 32120996 PMCID: PMC7084494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051631] [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: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial snails (Gastropoda) possess Cd-selective metallothioneins (CdMTs) that inactivate Cd2+ with high affinity. Most of these MTs are small Cysteine-rich proteins that bind 6 Cd2+ equivalents within two distinct metal-binding domains, with a binding stoichiometry of 3 Cd2+ ions per domain. Recently, unusually large, so-called multi-domain MTs (md-MTs) were discovered in the terrestrial door snail Alinda biplicata (A.b.). The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of A.b. to cope with Cd stress and the potential involvement of md-MTs in its detoxification. Snails were exposed to increasing Cd concentrations, and Cd-tissue concentrations were quantified. The gene structure of two md-MTs (9md-MT and 10md-MT) was characterized, and the impact of Cd exposure on MT gene transcription was quantified via qRT PCR. A.b. efficiently accumulates Cd at moderately elevated concentrations in the feed, but avoids food uptake at excessively high Cd levels. The structure and expression of the long md-MT genes of A.b. were characterized. Although both genes are intronless, they are still transcribed, being significantly upregulated upon Cd exposure. Overall, our results contribute new knowledge regarding the metal handling of Alinda biplicata in particular, and the potential role of md-MTs in Cd detoxification of terrestrial snails, in general.
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Dallinger R, Zerbe O, Baumann C, Egger B, Capdevila M, Palacios Ò, Albalat R, Calatayud S, Ladurner P, Schlick-Steiner BC, Steiner FM, Pedrini-Martha V, Lackner R, Lindner H, Dvorak M, Niederwanger M, Schnegg R, Atrian S. Metallomics reveals a persisting impact of cadmium on the evolution of metal-selective snail metallothioneins. Metallomics 2020; 12:702-720. [DOI: 10.1039/c9mt00259f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The tiny contribution of cadmium (Cd) to the composition of the earth's crust contrasts with its high biological significance. We suggest that in gastropod clades, the protein family of metallothioneins (MTs) has evolved to specifically detoxify Cd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Dallinger
- Department of Zoology
- University of Innsbruck
- Austria
- Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck
- Austria
| | - Oliver Zerbe
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Zürich
- Switzerland
| | | | | | - Mercé Capdevila
- Departament de Química
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
- Spain
| | - Òscar Palacios
- Departament de Química
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
- Spain
| | | | | | - Peter Ladurner
- Department of Zoology
- University of Innsbruck
- Austria
- Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck
- Austria
| | | | | | | | | | - Herbert Lindner
- Division of Clinical Biochemistry
- Innsbruck Medical University
- Austria
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