1
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King MR, Ruff KM, Pappu RV. Emergent microenvironments of nucleoli. Nucleus 2024; 15:2319957. [PMID: 38443761 PMCID: PMC10936679 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2319957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In higher eukaryotes, the nucleolus harbors at least three sub-phases that facilitate multiple functionalities including ribosome biogenesis. The three prominent coexisting sub-phases are the fibrillar center (FC), the dense fibrillar component (DFC), and the granular component (GC). Here, we review recent efforts in profiling sub-phase compositions that shed light on the types of physicochemical properties that emerge from compositional biases and territorial organization of specific types of macromolecules. We highlight roles played by molecular grammars which refers to protein sequence features including the substrate binding domains, the sequence features of intrinsically disordered regions, and the multivalence of these distinct types of domains / regions. We introduce the concept of a barcode of emergent physicochemical properties of nucleoli. Although our knowledge of the full barcode remains incomplete, we hope that the concept prompts investigations into undiscovered emergent properties and engenders an appreciation for how and why unique microenvironments control biochemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus, MO, USA
| | - Kiersten M. Ruff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus, MO, USA
| | - Rohit V. Pappu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus, MO, USA
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2
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Ramos S, Lee JC. Raman spectroscopy in the study of amyloid formation and phase separation. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1121-1130. [PMID: 38666616 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230599] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, share a common pathological feature of amyloid structure accumulation. However, the structure-function relationship between these well-ordered, β-sheet-rich, filamentous protein deposits and disease etiology remains to be defined. Recently, an emerging hypothesis has linked phase separation, a process involved in the formation of protein condensates, to amyloid formation, suggesting that liquid protein droplets serve as loci for amyloid initiation. To elucidate how these processes contribute to disease progression, tools that can directly report on protein secondary structural changes are needed. Here, we review recent studies that have demonstrated Raman spectroscopy as a powerful vibrational technique for interrogating amyloid structures; one that offers sensitivity from the global secondary structural level to specific residues. This probe-free technique is further enhanced via coupling to a microscope, which affords structural data with spatial resolution, known as Raman spectral imaging (RSI). In vitro and in cellulo applications of RSI are discussed, highlighting studies of protein droplet aging, cellular internalization of fibrils, and Raman imaging of intracellular water. Collectively, utilization of the myriad Raman spectroscopic methods will contribute to a deeper understanding of protein conformational dynamics in the complex cellular milieu and offer potential clinical diagnostic capabilities for protein misfolding and aggregation processes in disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sashary Ramos
- Laboratory of Protein Conformation and Dynamics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
| | - Jennifer C Lee
- Laboratory of Protein Conformation and Dynamics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
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3
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König B, Pezzotti S, Ramos S, Schwaab G, Havenith M. Real-time measure of solvation free energy changes upon liquid-liquid phase separation of α-elastin. Biophys J 2024; 123:1367-1375. [PMID: 37515326 PMCID: PMC11163292 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological condensates are known to retain a large fraction of water to remain in a liquid and reversible state. Local solvation contributions from water hydrating hydrophilic and hydrophobic protein surfaces were proposed to play a prominent role for the formation of condensates through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). However, although the total free energy is accessible by calorimetry, the partial solvent contributions to the free energy changes upon LLPS remained experimentally inaccessible so far. Here, we show that the recently developed THz calorimetry approach allows to quantify local hydration enthalpy and entropy changes upon LLPS of α-elastin in real time, directly from experimental THz spectroscopy data. We find that hydrophobic solvation dominates the entropic solvation term, whereas hydrophilic solvation mainly contributes to the enthalpy. Both terms are in the order of hundreds of kJ/mol, which is more than one order of magnitude larger than the total free energy changes at play during LLPS. However, since we show that entropy/enthalpy mostly compensates, a small entropy/enthalpy imbalance is sufficient to tune LLPS. Theoretically, a balance was proposed before. Here we present experimental evidence based on our spectroscopic approach. We finally show that LLPS can be steered by inducing small changes of solvation entropy/enthalpy compensation via concentration or temperature in α-elastin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt König
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Simone Pezzotti
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sashary Ramos
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schwaab
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martina Havenith
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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4
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Mukherjee S, Ramos S, Pezzotti S, Kalarikkal A, Prass TM, Galazzo L, Gendreizig D, Barbosa N, Bordignon E, Havenith M, Schäfer LV. Entropy Tug-of-War Determines Solvent Effects in the Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of a Globular Protein. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:4047-4055. [PMID: 38580324 PMCID: PMC11033941 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) plays a key role in the compartmentalization of cells via the formation of biomolecular condensates. Here, we combined atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and terahertz (THz) spectroscopy to determine the solvent entropy contribution to the formation of condensates of the human eye lens protein γD-Crystallin. The MD simulations reveal an entropy tug-of-war between water molecules that are released from the protein droplets and those that are retained within the condensates, two categories of water molecules that were also assigned spectroscopically. A recently developed THz-calorimetry method enables quantitative comparison of the experimental and computational entropy changes of the released water molecules. The strong correlation mutually validates the two approaches and opens the way to a detailed atomic-level understanding of the different driving forces underlying the LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumyak Mukherjee
- Center
for Theoretical Chemistry, Ruhr University
Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Sashary Ramos
- Department
of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University
Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Simone Pezzotti
- Department
of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University
Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Abhishek Kalarikkal
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University
Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Tobias M. Prass
- Center
for Theoretical Chemistry, Ruhr University
Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Laura Galazzo
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University
Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Dominik Gendreizig
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Natercia Barbosa
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Enrica Bordignon
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University
Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Martina Havenith
- Department
of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University
Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Lars V. Schäfer
- Center
for Theoretical Chemistry, Ruhr University
Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
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5
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Mahanta DD, Brown DR, Webber T, Pezzotti S, Schwaab G, Han S, Shell MS, Havenith M. Bridging the Gap in Cryopreservation Mechanism: Unraveling the Interplay between Structure, Dynamics, and Thermodynamics in Cryoprotectant Aqueous Solutions. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:3720-3731. [PMID: 38584393 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Cryoprotectants play a crucial role in preserving biological material, ensuring their viability during storage and facilitating crucial applications such as the conservation of medical compounds, tissues, and organs for transplantation. However, the precise mechanism by which cryoprotectants modulate the thermodynamic properties of water to impede the formation and growth of ice crystals, thus preventing long-term damage, remains elusive. This is evident in the use of empirically optimized recipes for mixtures that typically contain DMSO, glycerol, and various sugar constituents. Here, we use terahertz calorimetry, Overhauser nuclear polarization, and molecular dynamics simulations to show that DMSO exhibits a robust structuring effect on water around its methyl groups, reaching a maximum at a DMSO mole fraction of XDMSO = 0.33. In contrast, glycerol exerts a smaller water-structuring effect, even at higher concentrations (Scheme 1). These results potentially suggest that the wrapped water around DMSO's methyl group, which can be evicted upon ligand binding, may render DMSO a more surface-active cryoprotectant than glycerol, while glycerol may participate more as a viscogen that acts on the entire sample. These findings shed light on the molecular intricacies of cryoprotectant solvation behavior and have potentially significant implications for optimizing cryopreservation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasish Das Mahanta
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany
- Department of Physics, Technische Universität (TU) Dortmund, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Dennis Robinson Brown
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, United States
| | - Thomas Webber
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, United States
| | - Simone Pezzotti
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schwaab
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany
| | - Songi Han
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
| | - M Scott Shell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, United States
| | - Martina Havenith
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany
- Department of Physics, Technische Universität (TU) Dortmund, Dortmund 44227, Germany
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6
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Tao YH, Schulke S, Schwaab G, Nealon GL, Pezzotti S, Hodgetts SI, Harvey AR, Havenith M, Wallace VP. Hydration water drives the self-assembly of guanosine monophosphate. Biophys J 2024; 123:931-939. [PMID: 38454599 PMCID: PMC11052693 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Guanosine monophosphate (GMP) is a nucleotide that can self-assemble in aqueous solution under certain conditions. An understanding of the process at the molecular level is an essential step to comprehend the involvement of DNA substructures in transcription and replication, as well as their relationship to genetic diseases such as cancer. We present the temperature-dependent terahertz (1.5-12 THz, 50-400 cm-1) absorptivity spectra of aqueous Na2 GMP solution in comparison with the aqueous solutions of other RNA nucleotides. Distinct absorption features were observed in the spectrum of GMP, which we attribute to the intramolecular modes of the self-assemblies (i.e., G-complexes) that, at 1 M, start to form at 313 K and below. Changes in broad-band features of the terahertz spectrum were also observed, which we associate with the release of hydration water in the temperature-dependent formation of guanine quadruplexes. Using a state-of-the-art THz calorimetry approach correlating spectroscopic to thermodynamic changes, we propose a molecular mechanism of hydrophilic hydration driving GMP self-assembly as a function of temperature. The free energy contribution of hydrophilic hydration is shown as a decisive factor in guanine-quadruplex formation. Our findings spotlight the role of hydration in the formation of macromolecular structures and suggest the potential of hydration tuning for regulating DNA transcription and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Heng Tao
- Department of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Simon Schulke
- Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schwaab
- Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gareth L Nealon
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Simone Pezzotti
- Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stuart I Hodgetts
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Alan R Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Martina Havenith
- Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Vincent P Wallace
- Department of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
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7
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Titus AR, Herron P, Streletzky KA, Madeira PP, Uversky VN, Zaslavsky BY. Effect of trimethylamine- N-oxide on the phase separation of aqueous polyethylene glycol-600-Dextran-75 two-phase systems. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:10546-10556. [PMID: 38506647 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp06200g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of phase separation in both intracellular biomolecular condensates (membrane-less organelles) and in vitro aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) relies on the formation of immiscible water-based phases/domains. The solvent properties and arrangement of hydrogen bonds within these domains have been shown to differ and can be modulated with the addition of various inorganic salts and osmolytes. The naturally occuring osmolyte, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), is well established as a biological condensate stabilizer whose presence results in enhanced phase separation of intracellular membrane-less compartments. Here, we show the unique effect of TMAO on the mechanism of phase separation in model PEG-600-Dextran-75 ATPS using dynamic and static light scattering in conjunction with ATR-FTIR and solvatochromic analysis. We observe that the presence of TMAO may enhance or destabilize phase separation depending on the concentration of phase forming components. Additionally, the behavior and density of mesoscopic polymer agglomerates, which arise prior to macroscopic phase separation, are altered by the presence and concentration of TMAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber R Titus
- Cleveland Diagnostics, 3615 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114, USA.
| | - Patrick Herron
- Department of Physics, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, USA.
| | - Kiril A Streletzky
- Department of Physics, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, USA.
| | - Pedro P Madeira
- Centro de Investigacao em Materiais Ceramicos e Compositos, Department of Chemistry, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
| | - Boris Y Zaslavsky
- Cleveland Diagnostics, 3615 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114, USA.
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8
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Rekhi S, Garcia CG, Barai M, Rizuan A, Schuster BS, Kiick KL, Mittal J. Expanding the molecular language of protein liquid-liquid phase separation. Nat Chem 2024:10.1038/s41557-024-01489-x. [PMID: 38553587 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01489-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between a polypeptide sequence and its phase separation has important implications for analysing cellular function, treating disease and designing novel biomaterials. Several sequence features have been identified as drivers for protein liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), schematized as a 'molecular grammar' for LLPS. Here we further probe how sequence modulates phase separation and the material properties of the resulting condensates, targeting sequence features previously overlooked in the literature. We generate sequence variants of a repeat polypeptide with either no charged residues, high net charge, no glycine residues or devoid of aromatic or arginine residues. All but one of 12 variants exhibited LLPS, albeit to different extents, despite substantial differences in composition. Furthermore, we find that all the condensates formed behaved like viscous fluids, despite large differences in their viscosities. Our results support the model of multiple interactions between diverse residue pairs-not just a handful of residues-working in tandem to drive the phase separation and dynamics of condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Rekhi
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Mayur Barai
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Azamat Rizuan
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin S Schuster
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Kristi L Kiick
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Jeetain Mittal
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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9
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Ray S, Buell AK. Emerging experimental methods to study the thermodynamics of biomolecular condensate formation. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:091001. [PMID: 38445729 DOI: 10.1063/5.0190160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The formation of biomolecular condensates in vivo is increasingly recognized to underlie a multitude of crucial cellular functions. Furthermore, the evolution of highly dynamic protein condensates into progressively less reversible assemblies is thought to be involved in a variety of disorders, from cancer over neurodegeneration to rare genetic disorders. There is an increasing need for efficient experimental methods to characterize the thermodynamics of condensate formation and that can be used in screening campaigns to identify and rationally design condensate modifying compounds. Theoretical advances in the field are also identifying the key parameters that need to be measured in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying interactions and driving forces. Here, we review recent progress in the development of efficient and quantitative experimental methods to study the driving forces behind and the temporal evolution of biomolecular condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumik Ray
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alexander K Buell
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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10
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Esteban-Hofer L, Emmanouilidis L, Yulikov M, Allain FHT, Jeschke G. Ensemble structure of the N-terminal domain (1-267) of FUS in a biomolecular condensate. Biophys J 2024; 123:538-554. [PMID: 38279531 PMCID: PMC10938082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Solutions of some proteins phase separate into a condensed state of high protein concentration and a dispersed state of low concentration. Such behavior is observed in living cells for a number of RNA-binding proteins that feature intrinsically disordered domains. It is relevant for cell function via the formation of membraneless organelles and transcriptional condensates. On a basic level, the process can be studied in vitro on protein domains that are necessary and sufficient for liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). We have performed distance distribution measurements by electron paramagnetic resonance for 13 sections in an N-terminal domain (NTD) construct of the protein fused in sarcoma (FUS), consisting of the QGSY-rich domain and the RGG1 domain, in the denatured, dispersed, and condensed state. Using 10 distance distribution restraints for ensemble modeling and three such restraints for model validation, we have found that FUS NTD behaves as a random-coil polymer under good-solvent conditions in both the dispersed and condensed state. Conformation distribution in the biomolecular condensate is virtually indistinguishable from the one in an unrestrained ensemble, with the latter one being based on only residue-specific Ramachandran angle distributions. Over its whole length, FUS NTD is slightly more compact in the condensed than in the dispersed state, which is in line with the theory for random coils in good solvent proposed by de Gennes, Daoud, and Jannink. The estimated concentration in the condensate exceeds the overlap concentration resulting from this theory. The QGSY-rich domain is slightly more extended, slightly more hydrated, and has slightly higher propensity for LLPS than the RGG1 domain. Our results support previous suggestions that LLPS of FUS is driven by multiple transient nonspecific hydrogen bonding and π-sp2 interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Esteban-Hofer
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Maxim Yulikov
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Gunnar Jeschke
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
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11
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Blumenfeld Z, Bera K, Castrén E, Lester HA. Antidepressants enter cells, organelles, and membranes. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:246-261. [PMID: 37783840 PMCID: PMC10700606 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01725-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
We begin by summarizing several examples of antidepressants whose therapeutic actions begin when they encounter their targets in the cytoplasm or in the lumen of an organelle. These actions contrast with the prevailing view that most neuropharmacological actions begin when drugs engage their therapeutic targets at extracellular binding sites of plasma membrane targets-ion channels, receptors, and transporters. We review the chemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic principles underlying the movements of drugs into subcellular compartments. We note the relationship between protonation-deprotonation events and membrane permeation of antidepressant drugs. The key properties relate to charge and hydrophobicity/lipid solubility, summarized by the parameters LogP, pKa, and LogDpH7.4. The classical metric, volume of distribution (Vd), is unusually large for some antidepressants and has both supracellular and subcellular components. A table gathers structures, LogP, PKa, LogDpH7.4, and Vd data and/or calculations for most antidepressants and antidepressant candidates. The subcellular components, which can now be measured in some cases, are dominated by membrane binding and by trapping in the lumen of acidic organelles. For common antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), the target is assumed to be the eponymous reuptake transporter(s), although in fact the compartment of target engagement is unknown. We review special aspects of the pharmacokinetics of ketamine, ketamine metabolites, and other rapidly acting antidepressants (RAADs) including methoxetamine and scopolamine, psychedelics, and neurosteroids. Therefore, the reader can assess properties that markedly affect a drug's ability to enter or cross membranes-and therefore, to interact with target sites that face the cytoplasm, the lumen of organelles, or a membrane. In the current literature, mechanisms involving intracellular targets are termed "location-biased actions" or "inside-out pharmacology". Hopefully, these general terms will eventually acquire additional mechanistic details.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zack Blumenfeld
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kallol Bera
- Department of Neurosciences and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eero Castrén
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henry A Lester
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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12
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Krevert C, Chavez D, Chatterjee S, Stelzl LS, Pütz S, Roeters SJ, Rudzinski JF, Fawzi NL, Girard M, Parekh SH, Hunger J. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of the Intrinsically Disordered Domain of the Fused in Sarcoma Protein Results in Substantial Slowing of Hydration Dynamics. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:11224-11234. [PMID: 38056002 PMCID: PMC10726384 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Formation of liquid condensates plays a critical role in biology via localization of different components or via altered hydrodynamic transport, yet the hydrogen-bonding environment within condensates, pivotal for solvation, has remained elusive. We explore the hydrogen-bond dynamics within condensates formed by the low-complexity domain of the fused in sarcoma protein. Probing the hydrogen-bond dynamics sensed by condensate proteins using two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy of the protein amide I vibrations, we find that frequency-frequency correlations of the amide I vibration decay on a picosecond time scale. Interestingly, these dynamics are markedly slower for proteins in the condensate than in a homogeneous protein solution, indicative of different hydration dynamics. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations confirm that lifetimes of hydrogen-bonds between water and the protein are longer in the condensates than in the protein in solution. Altered hydrogen-bonding dynamics may contribute to unique solvation and reaction dynamics in such condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola
S. Krevert
- Department
of Molecular Spectroscopy, Max Planck Institute
for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Daniel Chavez
- Department
of Polymer Theory, Max Planck Institute
for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sayantan Chatterjee
- Department
of Molecular Spectroscopy, Max Planck Institute
for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, The University
of Texas at Austin, 107
West Dean Keeton Street, Stop C0800, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Lukas S. Stelzl
- KOMET 1,
Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg
University, Staudingerweg 7, 55099 Mainz, Germany
- Faculty of
Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Gresemundweg 2, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute
of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 2, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sabine Pütz
- Department
of Molecular Spectroscopy, Max Planck Institute
for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Steven J. Roeters
- Department
of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department
of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam
UMC, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph F. Rudzinski
- Department
of Polymer Theory, Max Planck Institute
for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- IRIS
Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu
Berlin, Zum Großen
Windkanal 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicolas L. Fawzi
- Department
of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Martin Girard
- Department
of Polymer Theory, Max Planck Institute
for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sapun H. Parekh
- Department
of Molecular Spectroscopy, Max Planck Institute
for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, The University
of Texas at Austin, 107
West Dean Keeton Street, Stop C0800, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Johannes Hunger
- Department
of Molecular Spectroscopy, Max Planck Institute
for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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13
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Zhou L, Wang J, Xiong Z, Fan Y, Wang Y. Chirality-Selected Coacervate by Chiral Gemini Surfactant. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:17488-17497. [PMID: 37990365 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Chiral surfactants present opportunities to self-assemble into supramolecules with a chiral trait; however, the effects of stereochemistry on the formation of simple coacervates remain unclear. Here, we investigate the chirality-selected phase behavior in mixtures of chiral gemini surfactant 1,4-bis(dodecyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide)-2,3-butanediol (12-4(OH)2-12) with an oppositely charged chiral mandelic acid (MA). It demonstrates that altering the chirality of surfactants yields a heightened ability to regulate the phase behavior, leading to the formation of three different network-like structures, i.e., wormlike micelle, coacervate, and hydrogel, in the racemate, enantiomer, and mesomer, respectively. The different aggregate structures arise from the intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen-bond interactions of the two hydroxyl groups located at stereogenic centers. Intriguingly, although they contain similar microstructures, the solid-like hydrogel and liquid-like wormlike micelle show similar low hydration ability and have no encapsulation capability, whereas only coacervate formed by the enantiomers of 12-4(OH)2-12 displays liquid-like characteristics, strong capacity to sequester diverse solutes, and high affinity for tightly bound water simultaneously. These findings further highlight the unique and advantageous properties of coacervates as a promising model for exploring the biological process and understanding how chirality plays a crucial role in early life scenarios and cell evolution at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, and Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, P. R. China
| | - Jie Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, and Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Zhichen Xiong
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Yaxun Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, and Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Yilin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, and Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
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14
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Sołtys K, Tarczewska A, Bystranowska D. Modulation of biomolecular phase behavior by metal ions. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119567. [PMID: 37582439 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119567] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) appears to be a newly appreciated aspect of the cellular organization of biomolecules that leads to the formation of membraneless organelles (MLOs). MLOs generate distinct microenvironments where particular biomolecules are highly concentrated compared to those in the surrounding environment. Their thermodynamically driven formation is reversible, and their liquid nature allows them to fuse with each other. Dysfunctional biomolecular condensation is associated with human diseases. Pathological states of MLOs may originate from the mutation of proteins or may be induced by other factors. In most aberrant MLOs, transient interactions are replaced by stronger and more rigid interactions, preventing their dissolution, and causing their uncontrolled growth and dysfunction. For these reasons, there is great interest in identifying factors that modulate LLPS. In this review, we discuss an enigmatic and mostly unexplored aspect of this process, namely, the regulatory effects of metal ions on the phase behavior of biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Sołtys
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Aneta Tarczewska
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Dominika Bystranowska
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
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15
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Pyne S, Pyne P, Mitra RK. The explicit role of interfacial hydration during polyethylene glycol induced lipid fusion: a THz spectroscopic investigation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:31326-31334. [PMID: 37960951 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04868c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
While the phenomenon of excipient mediated membrane fusion has been studied widely, the inherent role of interfacial hydration involved in the process has mostly remained unaddressed. Here we report the experimental validation of the fact that PEG-induced membrane fusion is associated with the dehydration of the membrane(s). We explore the explicit hydration behavior at three different lipids (DOPC, POPC and DPPC) membranes with different aliphatic tails as they undergo fusogenic transition in the presence of PEG of average molecular weight of 4000 using THz-FTIR spectroscopy in the frequency window of 1.5-13.5 THz. Dynamic light scattering and electron microscopic measurements confirm the formation of different intermediate steps of the liposomes during the fusion process: bilayer aggregation, destabilization and finally lipid fusion. We observe that membrane hydration follows a systematic trend with the lipid specificity as the fusion process sets in.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Pyne
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India.
| | - Partha Pyne
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India.
| | - Rajib Kumar Mitra
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India.
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16
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Bag S, Pezzotti S, Das Mahanta D, Schulke S, Schwaab G, Havenith M. From Local Hydration Motifs in Aqueous Acetic Acid Solutions to Macroscopic Mixing Thermodynamics: A Quantitative Connection from THz-Calorimetry. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:9204-9210. [PMID: 37843511 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
We report the results of THz measurements (30-440 cm-1) of aqueous acetic acid solutions over the full mixing range (XAcAc = 0-1). We recorded spectroscopic observables as a function of the acetic acid concentration in the frequency range of the intermolecular stretch at 150 cm-1 and of the librational modes at 350-440 cm-1. This allowed us to unravel changes in hydrophobic and hydrophilic hydration motifs, respectively. By means of a novel THz-calorimetry approach, we quantitatively correlated these changes in local hydration motifs to excess mixing entropy and enthalpy. We find that ΔHmix is determined by both hydrophobic and hydrophilic solvation contributions. In contrast, ΔSmix is governed by hydrophobic cavity formation. Our results further suggest that acetic acid-water mixtures are systems at the edge of phase separation due to endothermic contributions from both hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvation in a large portion of the miscibility range. Our work establishes a quantitative relationship between the balance of local hydrophobic and hydrophilic solvation motifs and the macroscopic mixing thermodynamic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampad Bag
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany
| | - Simone Pezzotti
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany
| | - Debasish Das Mahanta
- Department of Physics, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM), Bengaluru, Karnataka 561203, India
| | - Simon Schulke
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schwaab
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany
| | - Martina Havenith
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany
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17
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Ramos S, Kamps J, Pezzotti S, Winklhofer KF, Tatzelt J, Havenith M. Hydration makes a difference! How to tune protein complexes between liquid-liquid and liquid-solid phase separation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:28063-28069. [PMID: 37840355 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03299j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how protein rich condensates formed upon liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) evolve into solid aggregates is of fundamental importance for several medical applications, since these are suspected to be hot-spots for many neurotoxic diseases. This requires developing experimental approaches to observe in real-time both LLPS and liquid-solid phase separation (LSPS), and to unravel the delicate balance of protein and water interactions dictating the free energy differences between the two. We present a vibrational THz spectroscopy approach that allows doing so from the point of view of hydration water. We focus on a cellular prion protein of high medical relevance, which we can drive to undergo either LLPS or LSPS with few mutations. We find that it is a subtle balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic solvation contributions that allows tuning between LLPS and LSPS. Hydrophobic hydration provides an entropic driving force to phase separation, through the release of hydration water into the bulk. Water hydrating hydrophilic groups provides an enthalpic driving force to keep the condensates in a liquid state. As a result, when we modify the protein by a few mutations to be less hydrophilic, we shift from LLPS to LSPS. This molecular understanding paves the way for a rational design of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sashary Ramos
- Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Janine Kamps
- Department of Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Simone Pezzotti
- Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Konstanze F Winklhofer
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr Unviersity Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jörg Tatzelt
- Department of Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martina Havenith
- Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
- Department of Physics, TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
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18
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Pyne P, Pyne S, Mitra RK. Sugar Molecules Inhibit Insulin Aggregation: A Decisive Role Being Played by the Protein Solvation Energetics. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8825-8832. [PMID: 37816171 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Insulin plays vital roles in controlling blood sugar level in the human body. However, it sometimes aggregates during the storage, and its efficacy (on the treatment of diabetes II disease) reduces significantly. So, understanding the insulin aggregation could help in long-term storage. Here we investigate the amyloid growth of human insulin protein in the presence of sugar molecules and observe that glucose and sucrose delay the insulin aggregation, the effect being systematically sugar dependent. We then investigate protein hydration during the aggregation process using terahertz spectroscopy, as the hydration plays a pioneering role in maintaining biological systems. Our study infers that the water network changes systematically with protein conformations and solvation entropy-enthalpy balance plays a decisive role in the aggregation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha Pyne
- Department of Chemical & Biological Sciences, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector-III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India
| | - Sumana Pyne
- Department of Chemical & Biological Sciences, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector-III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India
| | - Rajib Kumar Mitra
- Department of Chemical & Biological Sciences, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector-III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India
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19
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Chakraborty S, Bhattacharya I, Mitra RK. Solvation Plays a Key Role in Antioxidant-Mediated Attenuation of Elevated Creatinine Level: An In Vitro Spectroscopic Investigation. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8576-8585. [PMID: 37769128 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
An elevated level of creatinine (CRN) is a mark of kidney ailment, and prolonged retention of such condition could lead to renal failure, associated with severe ischemia. Antioxidants are clinically known to excrete CRN from the body through urine, thereby reducing its level in blood. The molecular mechanism of such an exclusion process is still illusive. As the excretion channel is urine, solvation of the solute is expected to play a pivotal role. Here, we report a detailed time-domain and frequency-domain terahertz (THz) spectroscopic investigation to understand the solvation of CRN in the presence of two model antioxidants, mostly used to treat elevated CRN level: N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and ascorbic acid (ASC). FTIR spectroscopy in the mid-infrared region and UV absorption spectroscopy measurements coupled with quantum chemical calculations [at the B3LYP/6-311G++(d,p) level] reveal that both NAC and ASC form HBonded complexes with CRN and rapidly undergo a barrier-less proton transfer process to form creatinium ions. THz measurements provide explicit evidence of the formation of highly solvated complexes compared with bare CRN, which eventually enables its excretion through urine. These observations could provide a foundation for designing more beneficial drugs to resolve kidney diseases..
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadip Chakraborty
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences; Block-JD; Sector-III; Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India
| | - Indrani Bhattacharya
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences; Block-JD; Sector-III; Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India
| | - Rajib Kumar Mitra
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences; Block-JD; Sector-III; Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India
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20
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Penkov NV. Terahertz spectroscopy as a method for investigation of hydration shells of biomolecules. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:833-849. [PMID: 37974994 PMCID: PMC10643733 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01131-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The hydration of biomolecules is one of the fundamental processes underlying the construction of living matter. The formation of the native conformation of most biomolecules is possible only in an aqueous environment. At the same time, not only water affects the structure of biomolecules, but also biomolecules affect the structure of water, forming hydration shells. However, the study of the structure of biomolecules is given much more attention than their hydration shells. A real breakthrough in the study of hydration occurred with the development of the THz spectroscopy method, which showed that the hydration shell of biomolecules is not limited to 1-2 layers of strongly bound water, but also includes more distant areas of hydration with altered molecular dynamics. This review examines the fundamental features of the THz frequency range as a source of information about the structural and dynamic characteristics of water that change during hydration. The applied approaches to the study of hydration shells of biomolecules based on THz spectroscopy are described. The data on the hydration of biomolecules of all main types obtained from the beginning of the application of THz spectroscopy to the present are summarized. The emphasis is placed on the possible participation of extended hydration shells in the realization of the biological functions of biomolecules and at the same time on the insufficient knowledge of their structural and dynamic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita V. Penkov
- Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics RAS, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
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21
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Mukherjee S, Schäfer LV. Thermodynamic forces from protein and water govern condensate formation of an intrinsically disordered protein domain. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5892. [PMID: 37735186 PMCID: PMC10514047 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41586-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) can drive a multitude of cellular processes by compartmentalizing biological cells via the formation of dense liquid biomolecular condensates, which can function as membraneless organelles. Despite its importance, the molecular-level understanding of the underlying thermodynamics of this process remains incomplete. In this study, we use atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of the low complexity domain (LCD) of human fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein to investigate the contributions of water and protein molecules to the free energy changes that govern LLPS. Both protein and water components are found to have comparably sizeable thermodynamic contributions to the formation of FUS condensates. Moreover, we quantify the counteracting effects of water molecules that are released into the bulk upon condensate formation and the waters retained within the protein droplets. Among the various factors considered, solvation entropy and protein interaction enthalpy are identified as the most important contributions, while solvation enthalpy and protein entropy changes are smaller. These results provide detailed molecular insights on the intricate thermodynamic interplay between protein- and solvation-related forces underlying the formation of biomolecular condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumyak Mukherjee
- Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, D-44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Lars V Schäfer
- Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, D-44780, Bochum, Germany.
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22
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Reid KM, Poudel H, Leitner DM. Dynamics of Hydrogen Bonds between Water and Intrinsically Disordered and Structured Regions of Proteins. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:7839-7847. [PMID: 37672685 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c03102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate more restricted dynamics of water around intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) than structured proteins. We examine here the dynamics of hydrogen bonds between water molecules and two proteins, small ubiquitin-related modifier-1 (SUMO-1) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2I (UBC9), which we compare around intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) and structured regions of these proteins. It has been recognized since some time that excluded volume effects, which influence access of water molecules to hydrogen-bonding sites, and the strength of hydrogen bonds between water and protein affect hydrogen bond lifetimes. While we find those two properties to mediate lifetimes of hydrogen bonds between water and protein residues in this study, we also find that the lifetimes are affected by the concentration of charged groups on other nearby residues. These factors are more important in determining the hydrogen bond lifetimes than whether a residue hydrogen bonding with water belongs to an IDR or to a structured region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korey M Reid
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Humanath Poudel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
| | - David M Leitner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
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