1
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Lee AR, Carter RS, Imani AS, Dommaraju SR, Hudson GA, Mitchell DA, Freeman MF. Discovery of Borosin Catalytic Strategies and Function through Bioinformatic Profiling. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:1116-1124. [PMID: 38695893 PMCID: PMC11221551 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00066] [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] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Borosins are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) containing backbone α-N-methylations. These modifications confer favorable pharmacokinetic properties including increased membrane permeability and resistance to proteolytic degradation. Previous studies have biochemically and bioinformatically explored several borosins, revealing (1) numerous domain architectures and (2) diverse core regions lacking conserved sequence elements. Due to these characteristics, large-scale computational identification of borosin biosynthetic genes remains challenging and often requires additional, time-intensive manual inspection. This work builds upon previous findings and updates the genome-mining tool RODEO to automatically evaluate borosin biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and identify putative precursor peptides. Using the new RODEO module, we provide an updated analysis of borosin BGCs identified in the NCBI database. From our data set, we bioinformatically predict and experimentally characterize a new fused borosin domain architecture, in which the modified natural product core is encoded N-terminal to the methyltransferase domain. Additionally, we demonstrate that a borosin precursor peptide is a native substrate of shewasin A, a reported aspartyl peptidase with no previously identified substrates. Shewasin A requires post-translational modification of the leader peptide for proteolytic maturation, a feature not previously observed in RiPPs. Overall, this work provides a user-friendly and open-access tool for the analysis of borosin BGCs and we demonstrate its utility to uncover additional biosynthetic strategies within the borosin class of RiPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen R. Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
| | - Riley S. Carter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Aman S. Imani
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
| | - Shravan R. Dommaraju
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Graham A. Hudson
- California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3); University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Douglas A. Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Michael F. Freeman
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
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2
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Mydy LS, Hungerford J, Chigumba DN, Konwerski JR, Jantzi SC, Wang D, Smith JL, Kersten RD. An intramolecular macrocyclase in plant ribosomal peptide biosynthesis. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:530-540. [PMID: 38355722 PMCID: PMC11049724 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01552-1] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The biosynthetic dogma of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPP) involves enzymatic intermolecular modification of core peptide motifs in precursor peptides. The plant-specific BURP-domain protein family, named after their four founding members, includes autocatalytic peptide cyclases involved in the biosynthesis of side-chain-macrocyclic plant RiPPs. Here we show that AhyBURP, a representative of the founding Unknown Seed Protein-type BURP-domain subfamily, catalyzes intramolecular macrocyclizations of its core peptide during the sequential biosynthesis of monocyclic lyciumin I via glycine-tryptophan crosslinking and bicyclic legumenin via glutamine-tyrosine crosslinking. X-ray crystallography of AhyBURP reveals the BURP-domain fold with two type II copper centers derived from a conserved stapled-disulfide and His motif. We show the macrocyclization of lyciumin-C(sp3)-N-bond formation followed by legumenin-C(sp3)-O-bond formation requires dioxygen and radical involvement based on enzyme assays in anoxic conditions and isotopic labeling. Our study expands enzymatic intramolecular modifications beyond catalytic moiety and chromophore biogenesis to RiPP biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Mydy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Jordan Hungerford
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Desnor N Chigumba
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Sarah C Jantzi
- Plasma Chemistry Laboratory, Center for Applied Isotope Studies, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Janet L Smith
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Roland D Kersten
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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3
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Nguyen NA, Vidya FNU, Yennawar NH, Wu H, McShan AC, Agarwal V. Disordered regions in proteusin peptides guide post-translational modification by a flavin-dependent RiPP brominase. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1265. [PMID: 38341413 PMCID: PMC10858898 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45593-5] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
To biosynthesize ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), enzymes recognize and bind to the N-terminal leader region of substrate peptides which enables catalytic modification of the C-terminal core. Our current understanding of RiPP leaders is that they are short and largely unstructured. Proteusins are RiPP precursor peptides that defy this characterization as they possess unusually long leaders. Proteusin peptides have not been structurally characterized, and we possess scant understanding of how these atypical leaders engage with modifying enzymes. Here, we determine the structure of a proteusin peptide which shows that unlike other RiPP leaders, proteusin leaders are preorganized into a rigidly structured region and a smaller intrinsically disordered region. With residue level resolution gained from NMR titration experiments, the intermolecular peptide-protein interactions between proteusin leaders and a flavin-dependent brominase are mapped onto the disordered region, leaving the rigidly structured region of the proteusin leader to be functionally dispensable. Spectroscopic observations are biochemically validated to identify a binding motif in proteusin peptides that is conserved among other RiPP leaders as well. This study provides a structural characterization of the proteusin peptides and extends the paradigm of RiPP modification enzymes using not only unstructured peptides, but also structured proteins as substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyet A Nguyen
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - F N U Vidya
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Neela H Yennawar
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Hongwei Wu
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Andrew C McShan
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
| | - Vinayak Agarwal
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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4
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Matabaro E, Witte L, Gherlone F, Vogt E, Kaspar H, Künzler M. Promiscuity of Omphalotin A Biosynthetic Enzymes Allows de novo Production of Non-Natural Multiply Backbone N-Methylated Peptide Macrocycles in Yeast. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300626. [PMID: 38059521 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiple backbone N-methylation and macrocyclization improve the proteolytic stability and oral availability of therapeutic peptides. Chemical synthesis of such peptides is challenging, in particular for the generation of peptide libraries for screening purposes. Enzymatic backbone N-methylation and macrocyclization occur as part of both non-ribosomal and ribosomal peptide biosynthesis, exemplified by the fungal natural products cyclosporin A and omphalotin A, respectively. Omphalotin A, a 9fold backbone N-methylated dodecamer isolated from the agaricomycete Omphalotus olearius, can be produced in Pichia pastoris by coexpression of the ophMA and ophP genes coding for the peptide precursor protein harbouring an autocatalytic peptide α-N-methyltransferase domain, and a peptide macrocyclase, respectively. Since both OphMA and OphP were previously shown to be relatively promiscuous in terms of peptide substrates, we expressed mutant versions of ophMA, encoding OphMA variants with altered core peptide sequences, along with wildtype ophP and assessed the production of the respective peptide macrocycles by the platform by high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Our results demonstrate the successful production of fifteen non-natural omphalotin-derived macrocycles, containing polar, aromatic and charged residues, and, thus, suggest that the system may be used as biotechnological platform to generate libraries of non-natural multiply backbone N-methylated peptide macrocycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Matabaro
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog Weg 4, HCI F423, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Luca Witte
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog Weg 4, HCI F423, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Gherlone
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog Weg 4, HCI F423, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Vogt
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog Weg 4, HCI F423, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hannelore Kaspar
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog Weg 4, HCI F423, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Künzler
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog Weg 4, HCI F423, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
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5
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Lee AR, Carter RS, Imani AS, Dommaraju SR, Hudson GA, Mitchell DA, Freeman MF. Computationally guided exploration of borosin biosynthetic strategies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.09.574750. [PMID: 38260703 PMCID: PMC10802470 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.09.574750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Borosins are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides containing backbone α- N -methylations. Identification of borosin precursor peptides is difficult because (1) there are no conserved sequence elements among borosin precursor peptides and (2) the biosynthetic gene clusters contain numerous domain architectures and peptide fusions. To tackle this problem, we updated the genome mining tool RODEO to automatically evaluate putative borosin BGCs and identify precursor peptides. Enabled by the new borosin module, we analyzed all borosin BGCs found in available sequence data and assigned precursor peptides to previously orphan borosin methyltransferases. Additionally, we bioinformatically predict and experimentally characterize a new fused borosin domain architecture, in which the modified core is N-terminal to the methyltransferase domain. Finally, we demonstrate that a borosin precursor peptide is the native substrate of shewasin A, a previously characterized pepsin-like aspartic peptidase whose native biological function was unknown.
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6
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Li X, Wang N, Liu Y, Li W, Bai X, Liu P, He CY. Backbone N-methylation of peptides: Advances in synthesis and applications in pharmaceutical drug development. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106892. [PMID: 37776681 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Peptide-based drugs have garnered considerable attention in recent years owing to their increasingly crucial role in the treatment of diverse diseases. However, the limited pharmacokinetic properties of peptides have hindered their full potential. One prominent strategy for enhancing the druggability of peptides is N-methylation, which involves the addition of a methyl group to the nitrogen atom of the peptide backbone. This modification significantly improves the stability, bioavailability, receptor binding affinity and selectivity of peptide drug candidates. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the advancements in synthetic methods for N-methylated peptide synthesis, as well as the associated limitations. Moreover, we explore the versatile effects of N-methylation on various aspects of peptide properties. Furthermore, we emphasize the efforts dedicated to N-methylated peptide pharmaceuticals that have successfully obtained marketing approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefei Li
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Central Research Institute, United-Imaging Healthcare Group Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Ningchao Wang
- Central Research Institute, United-Imaging Healthcare Group Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhang Liu
- Central Research Institute, United-Imaging Healthcare Group Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Weipiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Xinyu Bai
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Chun-Yang He
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
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7
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Li B, Sun Y, Zhu X, Qian S, Pu J, Guo Y, Wu H, Zhang L, Xin Y. Aggregation Interface and Rigid Spots Sustain the Stable Framework of a Thermophilic N-Demethylase. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:5614-5629. [PMID: 37000489 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Enzymes from thermophilic microorganisms usually show high thermostability, which is of great potential in industrial application; to understand the structural logic of these enzymes is helpful for the construction of robust biocatalysts. In this study, based on the crystal structure of an N-demethylase─TrSOX─with outstanding thermostability from Thermomicrobium roseum, substitutions were introduced on the aggregation interface and rigid spots to reduce the aggregation ratio and the rigidity. Four substitutions on the aggregation interface─V162S, M308S, F170S, and V306S─considerably reduced the thermostability and slightly enhanced the catalytic efficiency. In addition, the thermostable framework was considerably disrupted in several multiple P → G substitutions in several local motifs (P129G/P134G, P237G/P259G, and P259G/P276G). These structural fluctuations were in good accordance with whole-structure or partial root-mean-square deviation, radius of gyration H-bonds, and solvent-accessible surface area values in molecular dynamics simulation. Furthermore, these key spots were introduced into an unstable homolog from Bacillus sp., resulting in a dramatical increase in the half-life at 60 °C from <10 to 1440 min. These results could help understand the natural stable framework of thermophilic enzymes, which could be references for the construction of robust enzymes in industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Li
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Yuqian Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xinyi Zhu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Siyu Qian
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jiayang Pu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Yuwen Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Haobo Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Liang Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Bio Manufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Yu Xin
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Bio Manufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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8
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Chen X, Johnson RM, Li B. A Permissive Amide N-Methyltransferase for Dithiolopyrrolones. ACS Catal 2023; 13:1899-1905. [PMID: 38106463 PMCID: PMC10720983 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c05439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Amide N-methylation is important for the activity and permeability of bioactive compounds but can be challenging to perform selectively. The broad-spectrum antimicrobial natural products thiolutin and holomycin differ only by an N-methyl group at the endocyclic amide of thiolutin, but only thiolutin exhibits antifungal activity. The enzyme responsible for amide N--methylation in thiolutin biosynthesis has remained elusive. Here, we identified and characterized the amide N-methyltransferase DtpM that is encoded >400 kb outside of the thiolutin gene cluster. DtpM catalyzes efficient conversion of holomycin to thiolutin, exhibits broad substrate scope toward dithiolopyrrolones, and has high thermal stability. In addition, sequence similarity network analysis suggests DtpM is more closely related to phenol O-methyltransferases than some amide methyltransferases. This study expands the limited examples of amide N-methyltransferases and may facilitate chemoenzymatic synthesis of diverse dithiolopyrrolone compounds as potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Rachel M Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Chemistry, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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9
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Ozaki T, Minami A, Oikawa H. Recent advances in the biosynthesis of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides of fungal origin. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2023; 76:3-13. [PMID: 36424516 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-022-00576-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are growing class of natural products with potent biological activities. Although the core scaffolds of RiPPs are composed of proteinogenic amino acids, remarkable structural diversity is generated through posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of precursor peptides. In addition, ribosomal origin of biosynthetic precursors enables supply of its analogs through genetic approach such as site-directed mutagenesis on corresponding genes. As PTM enzymes often exhibit substrate tolerance, RiPP biosynthetic machineries are considered as efficient tools for generation of unique peptide derivatives. RiPP pathways are distributed among all domains of life and those derived from bacteria and plants have been known for decades. In contrast, fungal RiPPs (F-RiPPs) have fewer examples. Amatoxins and omphalotins are F-RiPPs produced by Basidiomycota fungi. In the biosynthesis of these compounds, macrocyclization by prolyl oligopeptidase homologs and N-methylations of back bone amides have been characterized, respectively. Ustiloxins and related compounds are another group of F-RiPPs with characteristic macrocyclic ethers. UstYa family proteins, which are fungi-specific putative oxidases, have been identified as common proteins involved in PTMs of these compounds. Despite a limited number of characterized examples, recent progress in sequencing of fungal genomes indicated that a number of RiPP pathways are hidden in fungal resources, making F-RiPPs as attractive target for genome mining studies while more detailed understandings of key biosynthetic enzymes are still necessary. This review seeks to describe recent advances on the F-RiPP biosynthesis with slight emphasis on the function of UstYa family proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Ozaki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Atsushi Minami
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Hideaki Oikawa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan. .,Innovation Center of Marine Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, Guangdong, China.
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10
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Zheng Y, Ongpipattanakul C, Nair SK. Bioconjugate Platform for Iterative Backbone N-Methylation of Peptides. ACS Catal 2022; 12:14006-14014. [PMID: 36793448 PMCID: PMC9928189 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c04681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
N-methylation of peptide backbones has often been utilized as a strategy towards the development of peptidic drugs. However, difficulties in the chemical synthesis, high cost of enantiopure N-methyl building blocks, and subsequent coupling inefficiencies have hampered larger-scale medicinal chemical efforts. Here, we present a chemoenzymatic strategy for backbone N-methylation by bioconjugation of peptides of interest to the catalytic scaffold of a borosin-type methyltransferase. Crystal structures of a substrate tolerant enzyme from Mycena rosella guided the design of a decoupled catalytic scaffold that can be linked via a heterobifunctional crosslinker to any peptide substrate of choice. Peptides linked to the scaffold, including those with non-proteinogenic residues, show robust backbone N-methylation. Various crosslinking strategies were tested to facilitate substrate disassembly, which enabled a reversible bioconjugation approach that efficiently released modified peptide. Our results provide general framework for the backbone N-methylation on any peptide of interest and may facilitate the production of large libraries of N-methylated peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwu Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Roger Adams Laboratory, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Chayanid Ongpipattanakul
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Roger Adams Laboratory, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Satish K. Nair
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Roger Adams Laboratory, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Roger Adams Laboratory, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana IL, 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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11
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Abstract
The past decade has seen impressive advances in understanding the biosynthesis of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs). One of the most common modifications found in these natural products is macrocyclization, a strategy also used by medicinal chemists to improve metabolic stability and target affinity and specificity. Another tool of the peptide chemist, modification of the amides in a peptide backbone, has also been observed in RiPPs. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms of biosynthesis of a subset of macrocyclic RiPP families, chosen because of the unusual biochemistry involved: the five classes of lanthipeptides (thioether cyclization by Michael-type addition), sactipeptides and ranthipeptides (thioether cyclization by radical chemistry), thiopeptides (cyclization by [4+2] cycloaddition), and streptide (cyclization by radical C-C bond formation). In addition, the mechanisms of backbone amide methylation, backbone epimerization, and backbone thioamide formation are discussed, as well as an unusual route to small molecules by posttranslational modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunji Lee
- Department of Chemistry and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA;
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Wilfred A van der Donk
- Department of Chemistry and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA;
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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12
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Structure and mechanism for iterative amide N-methylation in the biosynthesis of channel-forming peptide cytotoxins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2116578119. [PMID: 35316135 PMCID: PMC9060474 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116578119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The channel-forming proteusins are bacterial helical peptides that allow permeation of positively charged ions to influence membrane potential and cellular physiology. We biochemically characterize the effect of two critical posttranslational modifications on the secondary structure of the peptide substrate. We determine how a methyl group can be added to the side chains of D-Asn residues in a peptide substrate and show how flanking residues influence selectivity. These studies should foster the development of small-molecule peptide ion channels as therapeutics. The polytheonamides are highly modified and potent, cytotoxic peptides with a unique β-helical structure (helical diameter ∼4 Å) that affords selective membrane permeation of monovalent cations. Toxicity has been linked to promiscuous ion-channel behavior in studies of the prototypical polytheonamide B. Specific structural features of the β-helical toxins include, among other modifications, Cα-epimerizations and Nγ-methylations, which have been highlighted as the early-stage modifications most critical for β-helix formation. Here, we interrogate Cα-epimerization and Nγ-methylation to understand the importance of these modifications for secondary structure. We characterize the mechanism of Nγ-methylations on the amide side chains of D-Asn, an enzymatic modification with little biochemical precedent. Crystal structures of the AerE methyltransferase in complex with its epimerized peptide substrate and S-adenosyl-homocysteine reveal features of substrate recognition and an unexpected metal-ion that may mediate methyl transfer to the poorly nucleophilic amide. These studies provide a framework for the engineering of novel β-helical peptides with ion and membrane selectivity.
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13
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Kessler SC, Chooi YH. Out for a RiPP: challenges and advances in genome mining of ribosomal peptides from fungi. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:222-230. [PMID: 34581394 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00048a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Covering up to June 2021Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) from fungi are an underexplored class of natural products, despite their propensity for diverse bioactivities and unique structural features. Surveys of fungal genomes for biosynthetic gene clusters encoding RiPPs have been limited in their scope due to our incomplete understanding of fungal RiPP biosynthesis. Through recent discoveries, along with earlier research, a clearer picture has been emerging of the biosynthetic principles that underpin fungal RiPP pathways. In this Highlight, we trace the approaches that have been used for discovering currently known fungal RiPPs and show that all of them can be assigned to one of three distinct families based on hallmarks of their biosynthesis, which are in turn imprinted on their corresponding gene clusters. We hope that our systematic exposition of fungal RiPP structural and gene cluster features will facilitate more comprehensive approaches to genome mining efforts in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C Kessler
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Yit-Heng Chooi
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
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14
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Xin Y, Shen C, Tang M, Guo Z, Shi Y, Gu Z, Shao J, Zhang L. Recreating the natural evolutionary trend in key microdomains provides an effective strategy for engineering of a thermomicrobial N-demethylase. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101656. [PMID: 35124004 PMCID: PMC8892156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
N-demethylases have been reported to remove the methyl groups on primary or secondary amines, which could further affect the properties and functions of biomacromolecules or chemical compounds; however, the substrate scope and the robustness of N-demethylases have not been systematically investigated. Here we report the recreation of natural evolution in key microdomains of the Thermomicrobium roseum sarcosine oxidase (TrSOX), an N-demethylase with marked stability (melting temperature over 100 °C) and enantioselectivity, for enhanced substrate scope and catalytic efficiency on -C-N- bonds. We obtained the structure of TrSOX by crystallization and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the initial framework. The natural evolution in the nonconserved residues of key microdomains—including the catalytic loop, coenzyme pocket, substrate pocket, and entrance site—was then identified using ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR), and the substitutions that accrued during natural evolution were recreated by site-directed mutagenesis. The single and double substitution variants catalyzed the N-demethylation of N-methyl-L-amino acids up to 1800- and 6000-fold faster than the wild type, respectively. Additionally, these single substitution variants catalyzed the terminal N-demethylation of non-amino-acid compounds and the oxidation of the main chain -C-N- bond to a -C=N- bond in the nitrogen-containing heterocycle. Notably, these variants retained the enantioselectivity and stability of the initial framework. We conclude that the variants of TrSOX are of great potential use in N-methyl enantiomer resolution, main-chain Schiff base synthesis, and alkaloid modification or degradation.
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15
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Cho H, Lee H, Hong K, Chung H, Song I, Lee JS, Kim S. Bioinformatic Expansion of Borosins Uncovers Trans-Acting Peptide Backbone N-Methyltransferases in Bacteria. Biochemistry 2022; 61:183-194. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjin Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunbin Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungtae Hong
- Bio-Med Program, KIST-School UST, Hwarang-ro 14 gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hannah Chung
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Inseok Song
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Seok Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, 73 Goryeodae-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokhee Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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16
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Song I, Kim Y, Yu J, Go SY, Lee HG, Song WJ, Kim S. Molecular mechanism underlying substrate recognition of the peptide macrocyclase PsnB. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:1123-1131. [PMID: 34475564 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00855-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Graspetides, also known as ω-ester-containing peptides (OEPs), are a family of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) bearing side chain-to-side chain macrolactone or macrolactam linkages. Here, we present the molecular details of precursor peptide recognition by the macrocyclase enzyme PsnB in the biosynthesis of plesiocin, a group 2 graspetide. Biochemical analysis revealed that, in contrast to other RiPPs, the core region of the plesiocin precursor peptide noticeably enhanced the enzyme-precursor interaction via the conserved glutamate residues. We obtained four crystal structures of symmetric or asymmetric PsnB dimers, including those with a bound core peptide and a nucleotide, and suggest that the highly conserved Arg213 at the enzyme active site specifically recognizes a ring-forming acidic residue before phosphorylation. Collectively, this study provides insights into the mechanism underlying substrate recognition in graspetide biosynthesis and lays a foundation for engineering new variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inseok Song
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Younghyeon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jaeseung Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Su Yong Go
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hong Geun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woon Ju Song
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seokhee Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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17
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Miller FS, Crone KK, Jensen MR, Shaw S, Harcombe WR, Elias MH, Freeman MF. Conformational rearrangements enable iterative backbone N-methylation in RiPP biosynthesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5355. [PMID: 34504067 PMCID: PMC8429565 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide backbone α-N-methylations change the physicochemical properties of amide bonds to provide structural constraints and other favorable characteristics including biological membrane permeability to peptides. Borosin natural product pathways are the only known ribosomally encoded and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs) pathways to incorporate backbone α-N-methylations on translated peptides. Here we report the discovery of type IV borosin natural product pathways (termed 'split borosins'), featuring an iteratively acting α-N-methyltransferase and separate precursor peptide substrate from the metal-respiring bacterium Shewanella oneidensis. A series of enzyme-precursor complexes reveal multiple conformational states for both α-N-methyltransferase and substrate. Along with mutational and kinetic analyses, our results give rare context into potential strategies for iterative maturation of RiPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredarla S Miller
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Kathryn K Crone
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Matthew R Jensen
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA
- Science Department, Concordia University-St. Paul, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Sudipta Shaw
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - William R Harcombe
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Mikael H Elias
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA.
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA.
| | - Michael F Freeman
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA.
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA.
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18
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Vinogradov AA, Nagano M, Goto Y, Suga H. Site-Specific Nonenzymatic Peptide S/O-Glutamylation Reveals the Extent of Substrate Promiscuity in Glutamate Elimination Domains. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:13358-13369. [PMID: 34392675 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c06470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Formation of dehydroalanine and dehydrobutyrine residues via tRNA-dependent dehydration of serine and threonine is a key post-translational modification in the biosynthesis of lanthipeptide and thiopeptide RiPPs. The dehydration process involves two reactions, wherein the O-glutamyl Ser/Thr intermediate, accessed by a dedicated enzyme utilizing Glu-tRNAGlu as the acyl donor, is recognized by the second enzyme, referred to as the glutamate elimination domain (ED), which catalyzes the eponymous reaction yielding a dehydroamino acid. Many details of ED catalysis remain unexplored because the scope of available substrates for testing is limited to those that the upstream enzymes can furnish. Here, we report two complementary strategies for direct, nonenzymatic access to diverse ED substrates. We establish that a thiol-thioester exchange reaction between a Cys-containing peptide and an α thioester of glutamic acid leads an S-glutamylated intermediate which can act as a substrate for EDs. Furthermore, we show that the native O-glutamylated substrates can be accessible from S-glutamylated peptides upon a site-specific S-to-O acyl transfer reaction. Combined with flexible in vitro translation utilized for rapid peptide production, these chemistries enabled us to dissect the substrate recognition requirements of three known EDs. Our results establish that EDs are uniquely promiscuous enzymes capable of acting on substrates with arbitrary amino acid sequences and performing retro-Michael reaction beyond the canonical glutamate elimination. To facilitate substrate recruitment, EDs apparently engage in nonspecific hydrophobic interactions with their substrates. Altogether, our results establish the substrate scope of EDs and provide clues to their catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Vinogradov
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masanobu Nagano
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuki Goto
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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19
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Song H, Burton AJ, Shirran SL, Fahrig-Kamarauskaitė J, Kaspar H, Muir TW, Künzler M, Naismith JH. Engineering of a Peptide α-N-Methyltransferase to Methylate Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:14319-14323. [PMID: 33856715 PMCID: PMC8251615 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202100818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduction of α‐N‐methylated non‐proteinogenic amino acids into peptides can improve their biological activities, membrane permeability and proteolytic stability. This is commonly achieved, in nature and in the lab, by assembling pre‐methylated amino acids. The more appealing route of methylating amide bonds is challenging. Biology has evolved an α‐N‐automethylating enzyme, OphMA, which acts on the amide bonds of peptides fused to its C‐terminus. Due to the ribosomal biosynthesis of its substrate, the activity of this enzyme towards peptides with non‐proteinogenic amino acids has not been addressed. An engineered OphMA, intein‐mediated protein ligation and solid‐phase peptide synthesis have allowed us to demonstrate the methylation of amide bonds in the context of non‐natural amides. This approach may have application in the biotechnological production of therapeutic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haigang Song
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.,The Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Campus, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK.,The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Antony J Burton
- Department of Chemistry, Frick Chemistry Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Sally L Shirran
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, North Haugh, University of St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Jūratė Fahrig-Kamarauskaitė
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hannelore Kaspar
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tom W Muir
- Department of Chemistry, Frick Chemistry Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Markus Künzler
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - James H Naismith
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.,The Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Campus, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK.,The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK
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20
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Song H, Burton AJ, Shirran SL, Fahrig‐Kamarauskaitė J, Kaspar H, Muir TW, Künzler M, Naismith JH. Engineering of a Peptide α-N-Methyltransferase to Methylate Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 133:14440-14444. [PMID: 38505374 PMCID: PMC10947093 DOI: 10.1002/ange.202100818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Introduction of α-N-methylated non-proteinogenic amino acids into peptides can improve their biological activities, membrane permeability and proteolytic stability. This is commonly achieved, in nature and in the lab, by assembling pre-methylated amino acids. The more appealing route of methylating amide bonds is challenging. Biology has evolved an α-N-automethylating enzyme, OphMA, which acts on the amide bonds of peptides fused to its C-terminus. Due to the ribosomal biosynthesis of its substrate, the activity of this enzyme towards peptides with non-proteinogenic amino acids has not been addressed. An engineered OphMA, intein-mediated protein ligation and solid-phase peptide synthesis have allowed us to demonstrate the methylation of amide bonds in the context of non-natural amides. This approach may have application in the biotechnological production of therapeutic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haigang Song
- Division of Structural BiologyWellcome Centre for Human GeneticsRoosevelt DriveOxfordOX3 7BNUK
- The Research Complex at HarwellHarwell CampusOxfordOX11 0FAUK
- The Rosalind Franklin InstituteHarwell CampusOxfordOX11 0FAUK
| | - Antony J. Burton
- Department of ChemistryFrick Chemistry LaboratoryPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNJUSA
| | - Sally L. Shirran
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, North HaughUniversity of St. AndrewsFifeKY16 9STUK
| | - Jūratė Fahrig‐Kamarauskaitė
- Department of BiologyInstitute of MicrobiologyEidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Hannelore Kaspar
- Department of BiologyInstitute of MicrobiologyEidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Tom W. Muir
- Department of ChemistryFrick Chemistry LaboratoryPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNJUSA
| | - Markus Künzler
- Department of BiologyInstitute of MicrobiologyEidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - James H. Naismith
- Division of Structural BiologyWellcome Centre for Human GeneticsRoosevelt DriveOxfordOX3 7BNUK
- The Research Complex at HarwellHarwell CampusOxfordOX11 0FAUK
- The Rosalind Franklin InstituteHarwell CampusOxfordOX11 0FAUK
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21
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Matabaro E, Song H, Chepkirui C, Kaspar H, Witte L, Naismith JH, Freeman MF, Künzler M. Enzyme-mediated backbone N-methylation in ribosomally encoded peptides. Methods Enzymol 2021; 656:429-458. [PMID: 34325794 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Backbone N-methylation as a posttranslational modification was recently discovered in a class of ribosomally encoded peptides referred to as borosins. The founding members of the borosins are the omphalotins (A-I), backbone N-methylated, macrocyclic dodecapeptides produced by the mushroom Omphalotus olearius. Omphalotins display a strong and selective toxicity toward the plant parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. The primary product omphalotin A is synthesized via a concerted action of the omphalotin precursor protein (OphMA) and the dual function prolyloligopeptidase/macrocyclase (OphP). OphMA consists of α-N-methyltransferase domain that autocatalytically methylates the core peptide fused to its C-terminus via a clasp domain. Genome mining uncovered over 50 OphMA homologs from the fungal phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. However, the derived peptide natural products have not been described yet, except for lentinulins, dendrothelins and gymnopeptides produced by the basidiomycetes Lentinula edodes, Dendrothele bispora and Gymnopus fusipes, respectively. In this chapter, we describe methods used to isolate and characterize these backbone N-methylated peptides and their precursor proteins both in their original hosts and in the heterologous hosts Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. These methods may pave the path for both the discovery of novel borosins with interesting bioactivities. In addition, understanding of borosin biosynthetic pathways may allow setting up a biotechnological platform for the production of pharmaceutical leads for orally available peptide drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Matabaro
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Haigang Song
- The Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom; The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Clara Chepkirui
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hannelore Kaspar
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Luca Witte
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - James H Naismith
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom; The Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom; The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Michael F Freeman
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
| | - Markus Künzler
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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22
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Matabaro E, Kaspar H, Dahlin P, Bader DLV, Murar CE, Staubli F, Field CM, Bode JW, Künzler M. Identification, heterologous production and bioactivity of lentinulin A and dendrothelin A, two natural variants of backbone N-methylated peptide macrocycle omphalotin A. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3541. [PMID: 33574430 PMCID: PMC7878506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83106-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Backbone N-methylation and macrocyclization improve the pharmacological properties of peptides by enhancing their proteolytic stability, membrane permeability and target selectivity. Borosins are backbone N-methylated peptide macrocycles derived from a precursor protein which contains a peptide α-N-methyltransferase domain autocatalytically modifying the core peptide located at its C-terminus. Founding members of borosins are the omphalotins from the mushroom Omphalotus olearius (omphalotins A-I) with nine out of 12 L-amino acids being backbone N-methylated. The omphalotin biosynthetic gene cluster codes for the precursor protein OphMA, the protease prolyloligopeptidase OphP and other proteins that are likely to be involved in other post-translational modifications of the peptide. Mining of available fungal genome sequences revealed the existence of highly homologous gene clusters in the basidiomycetes Lentinula edodes and Dendrothele bispora. The respective borosins, referred to as lentinulins and dendrothelins are naturally produced by L. edodes and D. bispora as shown by analysis of respective mycelial extracts. We produced all three homologous peptide natural products by coexpression of OphMA hybrid proteins and OphP in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant peptides differ in their nematotoxic activity against the plant pathogen Meloidogyne incognita. Our findings pave the way for the production of borosin peptide natural products and their potential application as novel biopharmaceuticals and biopesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Matabaro
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Room HCI F409, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hannelore Kaspar
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Room HCI F409, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paul Dahlin
- Agroscope, Phytopathology and Zoology in Fruit and Vegetable Production, Müller-Thurgau-Strasse 29, CH-8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Daniel L V Bader
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Laboratorium Für Organische Chemie, ETH-Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Claudia E Murar
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Laboratorium Für Organische Chemie, ETH-Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Florian Staubli
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Room HCI F409, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christopher M Field
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Room HCI F409, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey W Bode
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Laboratorium Für Organische Chemie, ETH-Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Markus Künzler
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Room HCI F409, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland.
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23
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Wu C, van der Donk WA. Engineering of new-to-nature ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide natural products. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 69:221-231. [PMID: 33556835 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural products have historically been important lead sources for drug development, particularly to combat infectious diseases. Increasingly, their structurally complex scaffolds are also envisioned as leads for applications for which they did not evolve, an approach aided by engineering of new-to-nature analogs. Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are promising candidates for bioengineering because they are genetically encoded and their biosynthetic enzymes display significant substrate tolerance. This review highlights recent advances in the discovery of highly unusual new reactions by genome mining and the application of engineering approaches to generate and screen novel RiPP variants. Furthermore, through the use of synthetic biology approaches, hybrid molecules with enhanced or completely new activities have been identified, which opens the door for future advancement of RiPPs as potential next-generation therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Wilfred A van der Donk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Department of Chemistry and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
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24
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Montalbán-López M, Scott TA, Ramesh S, Rahman IR, van Heel AJ, Viel JH, Bandarian V, Dittmann E, Genilloud O, Goto Y, Grande Burgos MJ, Hill C, Kim S, Koehnke J, Latham JA, Link AJ, Martínez B, Nair SK, Nicolet Y, Rebuffat S, Sahl HG, Sareen D, Schmidt EW, Schmitt L, Severinov K, Süssmuth RD, Truman AW, Wang H, Weng JK, van Wezel GP, Zhang Q, Zhong J, Piel J, Mitchell DA, Kuipers OP, van der Donk WA. New developments in RiPP discovery, enzymology and engineering. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 38:130-239. [PMID: 32935693 PMCID: PMC7864896 DOI: 10.1039/d0np00027b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 393] [Impact Index Per Article: 131.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to June 2020Ribosomally-synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a large group of natural products. A community-driven review in 2013 described the emerging commonalities in the biosynthesis of RiPPs and the opportunities they offered for bioengineering and genome mining. Since then, the field has seen tremendous advances in understanding of the mechanisms by which nature assembles these compounds, in engineering their biosynthetic machinery for a wide range of applications, and in the discovery of entirely new RiPP families using bioinformatic tools developed specifically for this compound class. The First International Conference on RiPPs was held in 2019, and the meeting participants assembled the current review describing new developments since 2013. The review discusses the new classes of RiPPs that have been discovered, the advances in our understanding of the installation of both primary and secondary post-translational modifications, and the mechanisms by which the enzymes recognize the leader peptides in their substrates. In addition, genome mining tools used for RiPP discovery are discussed as well as various strategies for RiPP engineering. An outlook section presents directions for future research.
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25
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Enzymatic methylation of the amide bond. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2020; 65:79-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Song H, Fahrig-Kamarauskaitè J, Matabaro E, Kaspar H, Shirran SL, Zach C, Pace A, Stefanov BA, Naismith JH, Künzler M. Substrate Plasticity of a Fungal Peptide α- N-Methyltransferase. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:1901-1912. [PMID: 32491837 PMCID: PMC7372559 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
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The
methylation of amide nitrogen atoms can improve the stability,
oral availability, and cell permeability of peptide therapeutics.
Chemical N-methylation of peptides is challenging.
Omphalotin A is a ribosomally synthesized, macrocylic dodecapeptide
with nine backbone N-methylations. The fungal natural
product is derived from the precursor protein, OphMA, harboring both
the core peptide and a SAM-dependent peptide α-N-methyltransferase domain. OphMA forms a homodimer and its α-N-methyltransferase domain installs the methyl groups in trans on the hydrophobic core dodecapeptide and some
additional C-terminal residues of the protomers. These post-translational
backbone N-methylations occur in a processive manner
from the N- to the C-terminus of the peptide substrate. We demonstrate
that OphMA can methylate polar, aromatic, and charged residues when
these are introduced into the core peptide. Some of these amino acids
alter the efficiency and pattern of methylation. Proline, depending
on its sequence context, can act as a tunable stop signal. Crystal
structures of OphMA variants have allowed rationalization of these
observations. Our results hint at the potential to control this fungal α-N-methyltransferase for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haigang Song
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre of Human Genomics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Ju̅ratè Fahrig-Kamarauskaitè
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuel Matabaro
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hannelore Kaspar
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sally L. Shirran
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, North Haugh, University of St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Zach
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Amy Pace
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bozhidar-Adrian Stefanov
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - James H. Naismith
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre of Human Genomics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
- Rosalind Franklin Institute, Rutherford Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Künzler
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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27
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Vogt E, Künzler M. Discovery of novel fungal RiPP biosynthetic pathways and their application for the development of peptide therapeutics. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:5567-5581. [PMID: 31147756 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09893-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Bioactive peptide natural products are an important source of therapeutics. Prominent examples are the antibiotic penicillin and the immunosuppressant cyclosporine which are both produced by fungi and have revolutionized modern medicine. Peptide biosynthesis can occur either non-ribosomally via large enzymes referred to as non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) or ribosomally. Ribosomal peptides are synthesized as part of a larger precursor peptide where they are posttranslationally modified and subsequently proteolytically released. Such peptide natural products are referred to as ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Their biosynthetic pathways have recently received a lot of attention, both from a basic and applied research point of view, due to the discoveries of several novel posttranslational modifications of the peptide backbone. Some of these modifications were so far only known from NRPSs and significantly increase the chemical space covered by this class of peptide natural products. Latter feature, in combination with the promiscuity of the modifying enzymes and the genetic encoding of the peptide sequence, makes RiPP biosynthetic pathways attractive for synthetic biology approaches to identify novel peptide therapeutics via screening of de novo generated peptide libraries and, thus, exploit bioactive peptide natural products beyond their direct use as therapeutics. This review focuses on the recent discovery and characterization of novel RiPP biosynthetic pathways in fungi and their possible application for the development of novel peptide therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Vogt
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Künzler
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland.
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28
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Quijano MR, Zach C, Miller FS, Lee AR, Imani AS, Künzler M, Freeman MF. Distinct Autocatalytic α-N-Methylating Precursors Expand the Borosin RiPP Family of Peptide Natural Products. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:9637-9644. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b03690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marissa R. Quijano
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Christina Zach
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Fredarla S. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Aileen R. Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Aman S. Imani
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Markus Künzler
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael F. Freeman
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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29
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Luo S, Dong SH. Recent Advances in the Discovery and Biosynthetic Study of Eukaryotic RiPP Natural Products. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24081541. [PMID: 31003555 PMCID: PMC6514808 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products have played indispensable roles in drug development and biomedical research. Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a group of fast-expanding natural products attribute to genome mining efforts in recent years. Most RiPP natural products were discovered from bacteria, yet many eukaryotic cyclic peptides turned out to be of RiPP origin. This review article presents recent advances in the discovery of eukaryotic RiPP natural products, the elucidation of their biosynthetic pathways, and the molecular basis for their biosynthetic enzyme catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangwen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Shi-Hui Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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30
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Discovery and characterization of a novel C-terminal peptide carboxyl methyltransferase in a lassomycin-like lasso peptide biosynthetic pathway. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:2649-2664. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09645-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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