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Little H, Patel S, Duhamel J. Probing the inner local density of complex macromolecules by pyrene excimer formation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:26515-26525. [PMID: 37621250 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02958a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The direct relationship existing between the average rate constant 〈k〉 for pyrene excimer formation and the local concentration [Py]loc of ground-state pyrenyl labels covalently attached to a macromolecule was established for 55 pyrene-labeled macromolecules (PyLM). These PyLM belonged to three different families of macromolecules with the first representing short monodisperse linear chains end-labeled with pyrene (polystyrene, poly(ethylene oxide), and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)), the second representing long polydisperse linear chains randomly labeled with pyrene (poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, poly(butyl methacrylate), poly(methoxyethyl methacrylate), and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)), and the third being comprised of two series of pyrene end-labeled low generation dendrimers with a bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid or a polyamidoamine backbone. The assumption, that the polymeric segments probed by an excited pyrenyl label covalently attached to one of these macromolecules obeyed Gaussian statistics, enabled the calculation of their square root average squared end-to-end distance (LPy), which was applied to calculate [Py]loc. The log-log plots of 〈k〉 as a function of [Py]loc yielded straight lines with a slope of unity for all families of macromolecules studied in four different organic solvents demonstrating the validity and generality of the 〈k〉-vs.-[Py]loc relationship. Since an experimentalist knows how the the pyrenyl labels are covalently attached onto a macromolecule, [Py]loc offers a means to probe the local density of a macromolecule, which can be employed to characterize its conformation in solution. Consequently, the 〈k〉-vs.-[Py]loc relationship provides a novel experimental means to probe the conformation of macromolecules which should establish pyrene excimer formation as an appealing method for conformational studies of macromolecules in solution, which should nicely complement scattering techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter Little
- Institute for Polymer Research, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Sanjay Patel
- Institute for Polymer Research, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Jean Duhamel
- Institute for Polymer Research, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
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Jacob MH, D’Souza RN, Lazar AI, Nau WM. Diffusion-Enhanced Förster Resonance Energy Transfer in Flexible Peptides: From the Haas-Steinberg Partial Differential Equation to a Closed Analytical Expression. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15030705. [PMID: 36772006 PMCID: PMC9919848 DOI: 10.3390/polym15030705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In the huge field of polymer structure and dynamics, including intrinsically disordered peptides, protein folding, and enzyme activity, many questions remain that cannot be answered by methodology based on artificial intelligence, X-ray, or NMR spectroscopy but maybe by fluorescence spectroscopy. The theory of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) describes how an optically excited fluorophore transfers its excitation energy through space to an acceptor moiety-with a rate that depends on the distance between donor and acceptor. When the donor and acceptor moiety are conjugated to different sites of a flexible peptide chain or any other linear polymer, the pair could in principle report on chain structure and dynamics, on the site-to-site distance distribution, and on the diffusion coefficient of mutual site-to-site motion of the peptide chain. However, the dependence of FRET on distance distribution and diffusion is not defined by a closed analytical expression but by a partial differential equation (PDE), by the Haas-Steinberg equation (HSE), which can only be solved by time-consuming numerical methods. As a second complication, time-resolved FRET measurements have thus far been deemed necessary. As a third complication, the evaluation requires a computationally demanding but indispensable global analysis of an extended experimental data set. These requirements have made the method accessible to only a few experts. Here, we show how the Haas-Steinberg equation leads to a closed analytical expression (CAE), the Haas-Steinberg-Jacob equation (HSJE), which relates a diffusion-diagnosing parameter, the effective donor-acceptor distance, to the augmented diffusion coefficient, J, composed of the diffusion coefficient, D, and the photophysical parameters that characterize the used FRET method. The effective donor-acceptor distance is easily retrieved either through time-resolved or steady-state fluorescence measurements. Any global fit can now be performed in seconds and minimizes the sum-of-square difference between the experimental values of the effective distance and the values obtained from the HSJE. In summary, the HSJE can give a decisive advantage in applying the speed and sensitivity of FRET spectroscopy to standing questions of polymer structure and dynamics.
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Yin M, Goncearenco A, Berezovsky IN. Deriving and Using Descriptors of Elementary Functions in Rational Protein Design. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2021; 1:657529. [PMID: 36303771 PMCID: PMC9581014 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2021.657529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The rational design of proteins with desired functions requires a comprehensive description of the functional building blocks. The evolutionary conserved functional units constitute nature's toolbox; however, they are not readily available to protein designers. This study focuses on protein units of subdomain size that possess structural properties and amino acid residues sufficient to carry out elementary reactions in the catalytic mechanisms. The interactions within such elementary functional loops (ELFs) and the interactions with the surrounding protein scaffolds constitute the descriptor of elementary function. The computational approach to deriving descriptors directly from protein sequences and structures and applying them in rational design was implemented in a proof-of-concept DEFINED-PROTEINS software package. Once the descriptor is obtained, the ELF can be fitted into existing or novel scaffolds to obtain the desired function. For instance, the descriptor may be used to determine the necessary spatial restraints in a fragment-based grafting protocol. We illustrated the approach by applying it to well-known cases of ELFs, including phosphate-binding P-loop, diphosphate-binding glycine-rich motif, and calcium-binding EF-hand motif, which could be used to jumpstart templates for user applications. The DEFINED-PROTEINS package is available for free at https://github.com/MelvinYin/Defined_Proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin Yin
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alexander Goncearenco
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Igor N. Berezovsky
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences (DBS), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
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Hennig A, Nau WM. Interaction of Cucurbit[7]uril With Protease Substrates: Application to Nanosecond Time-Resolved Fluorescence Assays. Front Chem 2020; 8:806. [PMID: 33134264 PMCID: PMC7511663 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the use of the macrocyclic host cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) as a supramolecular additive in nanosecond time-resolved fluorescence (Nano-TRF) assays for proteases to enhance the discrimination of substrates and products and, thereby, the sensitivity. A peptide substrate was labeled with 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (DBO) as a long-lived (>300 ns) fluorescent probe and 3-nitrotyrosine was established as a non-fluorescent fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) acceptor that acts as a “dark quencher.” The substrate was cleaved by the model proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin and the effects of the addition of CB7 to the enzyme assay mixture were investigated in detail using UV/VIS absorption as well as steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. This also allowed us to identify the DBO and nitrotyrosine residues as preferential binding sites for CB7 and suggested a hairpin conformation of the peptide, in which the guanidinium side chain of an arginine residue is additionally bound to a vacant ureido rim of one of the CB7 hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hennig
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH, Bremen, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry of New Materials, School of Biology/Chemistry, Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.,Center of Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs), Universität Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Werner M Nau
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH, Bremen, Germany
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Abstract
Most biological molecules are intrinsically non- or weakly-fluorescent, hence requiring labeling with an external fluorophore(s) to be studied via fluorescence-based techniques. However, such labeling could perturb the native property of the system in question. One effective strategy to minimize such undesirable perturbation is to use fluorophores that are simple analogs of natural amino acids. In this chapter, we describe the synthesis and spectroscopic utility of two indole-based fluorophores, 4-cynaotryprophan (4CN-Trp) and 4-cyanoindole-2'-deoxyribonucleoside (4CNI-NS), with a focus on 4CN-Trp. This unnatural amino acid, which is only slightly larger than its natural counterpart, tryptophan (Trp), exhibits unique photophysical properties, making it a versatile fluorophore in biological spectroscopic and imaging applications. Through several specific examples, we highlight its broad utility in the study of various biological problems and processes.
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Berezovsky IN. Towards descriptor of elementary functions for protein design. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 58:159-165. [PMID: 31352188 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We review studies of the protein evolution that help to formulate rules for protein design. Acknowledging the fundamental importance of Dayhoff's provision on the emergence of functional proteins from short peptides, we discuss multiple evidences of the omnipresent partitioning of protein globules into structural/functional units, using which greatly facilitates the engineering and design efforts. Closed loops and elementary functional loops, which are descendants of ancient ring-like peptides that formed fist protein domains in agreement with Dayhoff's hypothesis, can be considered as basic units of protein structure and function. We argue that future developments in protein design approaches should consider descriptors of the elementary functions, which will help to complement designed scaffolds with functional signatures and flexibility necessary for their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor N Berezovsky
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A⁎STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, Matrix 138671, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences (DBS), National University of Singapore (NUS), 8 Medical Drive, 117579, Singapore.
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Ahmed IA, Rodgers JM, Eng C, Troxler T, Gai F. PET and FRET utility of an amino acid pair: tryptophan and 4-cyanotryptophan. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:12843-12849. [PMID: 31179453 PMCID: PMC6587589 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp02126d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Methods based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and photo-induced electron transfer (PET) are widely used in the biological sciences, employing mostly dye-based FRET and PET pairs. While very useful and important, dye-based reporters are not always applicable without concern, for example, in cases where the fluorophore size needs to be minimized. Therefore, development and characterization of smaller, ideally amino acid-based PET and FRET pairs will expand the biological spectroscopy toolbox to enable new applications. Herein, we show that, depending on the excitation wavelength, tryptophan and 4-cyanotrptophan can interact with each other via the mechanism of either energy or electron transfer, hence constituting a dual FRET and PET pair. The biological utility of this amino acid pair is further demonstrated by applying it to study the end-to-end collision rate of a short peptide, the mode of interaction between a ligand and BSA, and the activity of a protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail A. Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Jeffrey M. Rodgers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Christina Eng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Thomas Troxler
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Feng Gai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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Jacob MH, Ghosh I, D'Souza RN, Nau WM. Two Orders of Magnitude Variation of Diffusion-Enhanced Förster Resonance Energy Transfer in Polypeptide Chains. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:E1079. [PMID: 30961004 PMCID: PMC6403563 DOI: 10.3390/polym10101079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A flexible peptide chain displays structural and dynamic properties that correspond to its folding and biological activity. These properties are mirrored in intrachain site-to-site distances and diffusion coefficients of mutual site-to-site motion. Both distance distribution and diffusion determine the extent of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between two sites labeled with a FRET donor and acceptor. The relatively large Förster radii of traditional FRET methods (R₀ > 20 Å) lead to a fairly low contribution of diffusion. We introduced short-distance FRET (sdFRET) where Dbo, an asparagine residue conjugated to 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, acts as acceptor paired with donors, such as naphtylalanine (NAla), tryptophan, 5-l-fluorotryptophan, or tyrosine. The Förster radii are always close to 10 Å, which makes sdFRET highly sensitive to diffusional motion. We recently found indications that the FRET enhancement caused by diffusion depends symmetrically on the product of the radiative fluorescence lifetime of the donor and the diffusion coefficient. In this study, we varied this product by two orders of magnitude, using both donors of different lifetime, NAla and FTrp, as well as a varying viscogen concentration, to corroborate this statement. We demonstrate the consequences of this relationship in evaluating the impact of viscogenic coadditives on peptide dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maik H Jacob
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Indrajit Ghosh
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Roy N D'Souza
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Werner M Nau
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany.
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Casier R, Duhamel J. Pyrene Excimer Fluorescence as a Direct and Easy Experimental Means To Characterize the Length Scale and Internal Dynamics of Polypeptide Foldons. Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b00459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Remi Casier
- Institute for Polymer Research, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Jean Duhamel
- Institute for Polymer Research, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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