1
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Sheikhzadeh A, Safaei M, Fadaei Naeini V, Baghani M, Foroutan M, Baniassadi M. Multiscale modeling of unfolding and bond dissociation of rubredoxin metalloprotein. J Mol Graph Model 2024; 129:108749. [PMID: 38442439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2024.108749] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical properties of proteins that have a crucial effect on their operation. This study used a molecular dynamics simulation package to investigate rubredoxin unfolding on the atomic scale. Different simulation techniques were applied, and due to the dissociation of covalent/hydrogen bonds, this protein demonstrates several intermediate states in force-extension behavior. A conceptual model based on the cohesive finite element method was developed to consider the intermediate damages that occur during unfolding. This model is based on force-displacement curves derived from molecular dynamics results. The proposed conceptual model is designed to accurately identify bond rupture points and determine the associated forces. This is achieved by conducting a thorough comparison between molecular dynamics and cohesive finite element results. The utilization of a viscoelastic cohesive zone model allows for the consideration of loading rate effects. This rate-dependent model can be further developed and integrated into the multiscale modeling of large assemblies of metalloproteins, providing a comprehensive understanding of mechanical behavior while maintaining a reduced computational cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliakbar Sheikhzadeh
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2V4, Canada
| | - Mohammad Safaei
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Fadaei Naeini
- Division of Machine Elements, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SE-97187, Sweden
| | - Mostafa Baghani
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masumeh Foroutan
- Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Majid Baniassadi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ICUBE Laboratory, Strasbourg, France.
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2
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Interdomain Linker Effect on the Mechanical Stability of Ig Domains in Titin. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179836. [PMID: 36077234 PMCID: PMC9456048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Titin is the largest protein in humans, composed of more than one hundred immunoglobulin (Ig) domains, and plays a critical role in muscle’s passive elasticity. Thus, the molecular design of this giant polyprotein is responsible for its mechanical function. Interestingly, most of these Ig domains are connected directly with very few interdomain residues/linker, which suggests such a design is necessary for its mechanical stability. To understand this design, we chose six representative Ig domains in titin and added nine glycine residues (9G) as an artificial interdomain linker between these Ig domains. We measured their mechanical stabilities using atomic force microscopy-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (AFM-SMFS) and compared them to the natural sequence. The AFM results showed that the linker affected the mechanical stability of Ig domains. The linker mostly reduces its mechanical stability to a moderate extent, but the opposite situation can happen. Thus, this effect is very complex and may depend on each particular domain’s property.
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3
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Shi S, Wu T, Zheng P. Direct Measurements of the Cobalt-thiolate Bonds Strength in Rubredoxin by Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200165. [PMID: 35475313 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200165] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cobalt is a trace transition metal. Although it is not abundant on earth, tens of cobalt-containing proteins exist in life. Moreover, the characteristic spectrum of Co(II) ion makes it a powerful probe for the characterization of metal-binding proteins through the formation of cobalt-ligand bonds. Since most of these natural and artificial cobalt-containing proteins are stable, we believe that these cobalt-ligand bonds in the protein system are also mechanically stable. To prove this, we used atomic force microscopy-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (AFM-SMFS) to directly measure the rupture force of Co(II)-thiolate bond in Co-substituted rubredoxin (CoRD). By combining the chemical denature/renature method for building metalloprotein and cysteine coupling-based polyprotein construction strategy, we successfully prepared the polyprotein sample (CoRD) n suitable for single-molecule study. Thus, we quantified the strength of Co(II)-thiolate bonds in rubredoxin with a rupture force of ~140 pN, revealing that the bond is a stable chemical bond. In addition, the Co-S bond is more labile than the Zn-S bond in proteins, similar to the result from the metal-competing titration experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengchao Shi
- Nanjing University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, CHINA
| | - Tao Wu
- Nanjing University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, CHINA
| | - Peng Zheng
- Nanjing University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 168 Xianlin Ave, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, Nanjing, CHINA
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4
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Raos
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Via L. Mancinelli 7, I-20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Bruno Zappone
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto di Nanotecnologia (CNR-Nanotec), Via P. Bucci, 33/C, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
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5
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Nie J, Tian F, Zheng B, Wang Z, Zheng P. Exploration of Metal-Ligand Coordination Bonds in Proteins by Single-molecule Force Spectroscopy. CHEM LETT 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.210307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyuan Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. 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, P. R. China
| | - Bin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - 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, P. R. China
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6
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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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7
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Pang X, Tang B. Role of the copper ion in pseudoazurin during the mechanical unfolding process. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 166:213-220. [PMID: 33172612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Metalloproteins require the corresponding metal cofactors to exert their proper function. The presence of metal cofactors in the metalloprotein makes it more difficult to investigate its folding and unfolding process. In this study, we employed atomic-force-microscopy-based single-molecule force spectroscopy to reveal the unfolding process of pseudoazurin (PAZ) that belongs to blue copper proteins. Our study shows that holo-PAZ requires a higher rupture force for mechanical unfolding comparing with the apo-PAZ. This result demonstrates that the copper atom not only enables PAZ access to transfer electron, but should also have an influence on its stability. The results also suggest that the electronic configuration of the metal cofactors has a striking effect on the strength of the organometallic bonds. Moreover, the results also reveal that there is an intermediate state during the unfolding process of PAZ. This study provides insight into the characteristics of metalloproteins and leads to a better knowledge of their interaction at the individual molecule level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangchao Pang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Materials Surface & Interface Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, China.
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8
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Schwiderek S, Orive AG, Karimi Aghda S, Schneider JM, de Los Arcos T, Grundmeier G. Single-Molecule Desorption Studies of Poly(acrylic acid) at Electrolyte/Oxide/TiAlN Interfaces. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:9489-9498. [PMID: 32689801 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The presented studies correlate the surface chemistry of electrochemically oxidized TiAlN hard coatings with the desorption forces of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) at the electrolyte/oxide/TiAlN interface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) was performed at different pH values to investigate surface chemistry-induced changes in desorption force. The chemical state was characterized by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis. The results show that the desorption forces continuously decrease with increasing pH in the range from pH 5 to 9. The comparison of the desorption forces on rf-sputtered titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide films shows that the electrochemically oxidized surface of TiAlN, in agreement with the revealed surface composition, shows interfacial adhesive properties in contact with PAA and water that resemble a pure titanium oxide layer. Load rate-dependent measurements were performed to analyze both the free energy barrier and the transition state distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Schwiderek
- Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Strasse 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Alejandro G Orive
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Nanotechnology Institute, University of La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Soheil Karimi Aghda
- Materials Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Kupernikusstrasse 10, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jochen M Schneider
- Materials Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Kupernikusstrasse 10, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Teresa de Los Arcos
- Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Strasse 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Guido Grundmeier
- Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Strasse 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
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9
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Scheurer M, Dreuw A, Head-Gordon M, Stauch T. The rupture mechanism of rubredoxin is more complex than previously thought. Chem Sci 2020; 11:6036-6044. [PMID: 34094096 PMCID: PMC8159389 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc02164d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The surprisingly low rupture force and remarkable mechanical anisotropy of rubredoxin have been known for several years. Exploiting the first combination of steered molecular dynamics and the quantum chemical Judgement of Energy DIstribution (JEDI) analysis, the common belief that hydrogen bonds between neighboring amino acid backbones and the sulfur atoms of the central FeS4 unit in rubredoxin determine the low mechanical resistance of the protein is invalidated. The distribution of strain energy in the central part of rubredoxin is elucidated in real-time with unprecedented detail, giving important insights into the mechanical unfolding pathway of rubredoxin. While structural anisotropy as well as the contribution of angle bendings in the FeS4 unit have a significant influence on the mechanical properties of rubredoxin, these factors are insufficient to explain the experimentally observed low rupture force. Instead, the rupture mechanism of rubredoxin is far more complex than previously thought and requires more than just a hydrogen bond network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Scheurer
- Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific ComputingIm Neuenheimer Feld 20569120 HeidelbergGermany
| | - Andreas Dreuw
- Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific ComputingIm Neuenheimer Feld 20569120 HeidelbergGermany
| | - Martin Head-Gordon
- Department of Chemistry, University of CaliforniaBerkeleyCalifornia 94720USA,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of CaliforniaBerkeleyCalifornia 94720USA
| | - Tim Stauch
- University of Bremen, Institute for Physical and Theoretical ChemistryLeobener Straße NW2D-28359 BremenGermany,Bremen Center for Computational Materials Science, University of BremenAm Fallturm 1D-28359 BremenGermany,MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of BremenBibliothekstraße 1D-28359 BremenGermany
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10
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Abstract
Moving to a new country, with a different culture and a new environment, is not an easy decision. In this perspective, I present some reasons that made me, a Brazilian computational biochemist, move abroad to do postdoctoral research and some of the challenges I faced before and after moving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Nunes-Alves
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) , Schloß-Wolfsbrunnenweg 35 , 69118 Heidelberg , Germany.,Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH) , Im Neuenheimer Feld 282 , 69120 Heidelberg , Germany
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11
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Dąbrowski J, Nowak W, Ptak A. How strong are hydrogen bonds in the peptide model? Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:1392-1399. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp05564a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We provide a methodology based on the steered molecular dynamics simulations and dynamic force spectroscopy calculations to determine the kinetic and energetic characteristics of hydrogen bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Dąbrowski
- Institute of Physics
- Faculty of Technical Physics
- Poznan University of Technology
- PL-60965 Poznan
- Poland
| | - Wiesław Nowak
- Institute of Physics
- Faculty of Physics
- Astronomy and Informatics
- Nicolaus Copernicus University
- PL-87100 Torun
| | - Arkadiusz Ptak
- Institute of Physics
- Faculty of Technical Physics
- Poznan University of Technology
- PL-60965 Poznan
- Poland
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12
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Teixeira MH, Curtolo F, Camilo SRG, Field MJ, Zheng P, Li H, Arantes GM. Modeling the Hydrolysis of Iron-Sulfur Clusters. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 60:653-660. [PMID: 31790241 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Iron-sulfur (FeS) clusters are essential metal cofactors involved in a wide variety of biological functions. Their catalytic efficiency, biosynthesis, and regulation depend on FeS stability in aqueous solution. Here, molecular modeling is used to investigate the hydrolysis of an oxidized (ferric) mononuclear FeS cluster by bare dissociation and water substitution mechanisms in neutral and acidic solution. First, approximate electronic structure descriptions of FeS reactions by density functional theory are validated against high-level wave function CCSD(T) calculations. Solvation contributions are included by an all-atom model with hybrid quantum chemical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) potentials and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations. The free energy profile obtained for FeS cluster hydrolysis indicates that the hybrid functional M06 together with an implicit solvent correction capture the most important aspects of FeS cluster reactivity in aqueous solution. Then, 20 reaction channels leading to two consecutive Fe-S bond ruptures were explored with this calibrated model. For all protonation states, nucleophilic substitution with concerted bond breaking and forming to iron is the preferred mechanism, both kinetic and thermodynamically. In neutral solution, proton transfer from water to the sulfur leaving group is also concerted. Dissociative reactions show higher barriers and will not be relevant for FeS reactivity when exposed to solvent. These hydrolysis mechanisms may help to explain the stability and catalytic mechanisms of FeS clusters of multiple sizes and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo H Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química , Universidade de São Paulo , Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748 , 05508-900 São Paulo , SP , Brazil
| | - Felipe Curtolo
- Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química , Universidade de São Paulo , Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748 , 05508-900 São Paulo , SP , Brazil
| | - Sofia R G Camilo
- Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química , Universidade de São Paulo , Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748 , 05508-900 São Paulo , SP , Brazil
| | - Martin J Field
- CNRS, CEA, IRIG, Laboratoire de Chimie et Biologie des Métaux , Université Grenoble Alpes , 17 rue des Martyrs , 38000 Grenoble , France.,Institut Laue-Langevin , BP 156, 41 Avenue des Martyrs , 38042 Grenoble , Cedex 9, France
| | - Peng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Nanjing University , Nanjing , Jiangsu 210023 , China
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia V6T 1Z1 , Canada
| | - Guilherme M Arantes
- Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química , Universidade de São Paulo , Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748 , 05508-900 São Paulo , SP , Brazil
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13
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Baptista LA, Netz PA. Single molecule force spectroscopy of a streptomycin-binding RNA aptamer: An out-of-equilibrium molecular dynamics study. J Chem Phys 2019; 151:195102. [PMID: 31757139 DOI: 10.1063/1.5128126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we investigate the unfolding behavior of a streptomycin-binding ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamer under application of force in shear geometry. Using Langevin out-of-equilibrium simulations to emulate the single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) experiment, we were able to understand the hierarchical unfolding process that occurs in the RNA molecule under application of stretching force and the influence of streptomycin modifying this unfolding. Subsequently, the application of the Jarzynski equality to the force profiles obtained in the pulling simulations shows that the free energies for individual systems and the difference of unfolding free energy upon streptomycin binding to the RNA free aptamer are in fair agreement with the experimental values, obtained through SMFS by Nick et al. [J. Phys. Chem. B 120, 6479 (2016)].
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Baptista
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Paulo A Netz
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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14
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Yuan G, Ma Q, Wu T, Wang M, Li X, Zuo J, Zheng P. Multistep Protein Unfolding Scenarios from the Rupture of a Complex Metal Cluster Cd 3S 9. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10518. [PMID: 31324867 PMCID: PMC6642161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47004-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein (un)folding is a complex and essential process. With the rapid development of single-molecule techniques, we can detect multiple and transient proteins (un)folding pathways/intermediates. However, the observation of multiple multistep (>2) unfolding scenarios for a single protein domain remains limited. Here, we chose metalloprotein with relatively stable and multiple metal-ligand coordination bonds as a system for such a purpose. Using AFM-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), we successfully demonstrated the complex and multistep protein unfolding scenarios of the β-domain of a human protein metallothionein-3 (MT). MT is a protein of ~60 amino acids (aa) in length with 20 cysteines for various metal binding, and the β-domain (βMT) is of ~30 aa with an M3S9 metal cluster. We detected four different types of three-step protein unfolding scenarios from the Cd-βMT, which can be possibly explained by the rupture of Cd-S bonds in the complex Cd3S9 metal cluster. In addition, complex unfolding scenarios with four rupture peaks were observed. The Cd-S bonds ruptured in both single bond and multiple bonds modes. Our results provide not only evidence for multistep protein unfolding phenomena but also reveal unique properties of metalloprotein system using single-molecule AFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 21002, China
| | - Qun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 21002, China
| | - Tao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 21002, China
| | - Mengdi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 21002, China
| | - Xi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 21002, China
| | - Jinglin Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 21002, China
| | - Peng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 21002, China.
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15
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Li J, Li H. Mechanical Unfolding Pathway of the High-Potential Iron-Sulfur Protein Revealed by Single-Molecule Atomic Force Microscopy: Toward a General Unfolding Mechanism for Iron-sulfur Proteins. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:9340-9349. [PMID: 30212202 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b07614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
High-potential iron-sulfur proteins (HiPIPs) are an important class of metalloproteins with a [4Fe-4S] cluster coordinated by four cysteine residues. Distinct from other iron-sulfur proteins, the cluster in HiPIP has a high reduction potential, making it an essential electron carrier in bacterial photosynthesis. Here, we combined single-molecule atomic force microscopy and protein engineering techniques to investigate the mechanical unfolding mechanism of HiPIP from Chromatium tepidum (cHiPIP). We found that cHiPIP unfolds in a two-step fashion with the protein sequence sequestered by the iron-sulfur center as a stable unfolding intermediate state. The rupture of the iron-sulfur center of cHiPIP proceeds in two distinct parallel pathways; one pathway involves the concurrent rupture of multiple iron-thiolate bonds, and the other one involves the sequential rupture of the iron-thiolate bonds. This mechanistic information was further confirmed by mutational studies. We found that the rupture of the iron-thiolate bonds in reduced and oxidized cHiPIP occurred in the range of 150-180 pN at a pulling speed of 400 nm/s, similar to that measured for iron-thiolate bonds in rubredoxin and ferredoxin. Our results may have important implications for understanding the general unfolding mechanism governing iron-sulfur proteins, as well as the mechanism governing the mechanical rupture of the iron-sulfur center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Li
- Department of Chemistry , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia V6T 1Z1 , Canada
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia V6T 1Z1 , Canada
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Tang VW. Cell-cell adhesion interface: orthogonal and parallel forces from contraction, protrusion, and retraction. F1000Res 2018; 7. [PMID: 30345009 PMCID: PMC6173117 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.15860.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial lateral membrane plays a central role in the integration of intercellular signals and, by doing so, is a principal determinant in the emerging properties of epithelial tissues. Mechanical force, when applied to the lateral cell-cell interface, can modulate the strength of adhesion and influence intercellular dynamics. Yet the relationship between mechanical force and epithelial cell behavior is complex and not completely understood. This commentary aims to provide an investigative look at the usage of cellular forces at the epithelial cell-cell adhesion interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian W Tang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 61801, USA
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Hildebrand N, Wei G, Köppen S, Colombi Ciacchi L. Simulated and experimental force spectroscopy of lysozyme on silica. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:19595-19605. [PMID: 30009290 DOI: 10.1039/c8cp03747g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The force spectra of proteins detaching from oxide surfaces measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) often present complex patterns of peaks, which are difficult to correlate with individual bond-breaking events at the atomic scale. In this work we rationalize experimental AFM force spectra of hen-egg-white lysozyme detaching from silica by means of all-atom steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations. In particular, we demonstrate that the native tertiary structure of lysozyme is preserved if, and only if, its four intramolecular disulfide bridges are intact. Otherwise, the protein pulled off the surface undergoes severe unfolding, which is well captured by SMD simulations in explicit solvent. Implicit solvent simulations, on the contrary, wrongly predict protein unfolding even in the presence of S-S bridges, due to the lack of additional structural stabilization provided by the water's hydrogen-bond network within and surrounding the protein. On the basis of our combined experimental and theoretical findings, we infer that the rugged force spectra characteristic of lysozyme/silica interfaces are not due to the successive breaking of internal disulfide bonds leading to partial unfolding events. Rather, they reflect the detachment of several molecules bound to the same AFM tip, each anchored to the surface via multiple hydrogen and ionic bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Hildebrand
- Hybrid Materials Interfaces Group, Faculty Production Engineering, Bremen Center for Computational Materials Science, University of Bremen, Am Fallturm 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
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