1
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Leopold AV, Verkhusha VV. Engineering signalling pathways in mammalian cells. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01237-z. [PMID: 39237709 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01237-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
In mammalian cells, signalling pathways orchestrate cellular growth, differentiation and survival, as well as many other processes that are essential for the proper functioning of cells. Here we describe cutting-edge genetic-engineering technologies for the rewiring of signalling networks in mammalian cells. Specifically, we describe the recombination of native pathway components, cross-kingdom pathway transplantation, and the development of de novo signalling within cells and organelles. We also discuss how, by designing signalling pathways, mammalian cells can acquire new properties, such as the capacity for photosynthesis, the ability to detect cancer and senescent cell markers or to synthesize hormones or metabolites in response to chemical or physical stimuli. We also review the applications of mammalian cells in biocomputing. Technologies for engineering signalling pathways in mammalian cells are advancing basic cellular biology, biomedical research and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna V Leopold
- Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vladislav V Verkhusha
- Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Genetics and Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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2
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Hilditch AT, Romanyuk A, Cross SJ, Obexer R, McManus JJ, Woolfson DN. Assembling membraneless organelles from de novo designed proteins. Nat Chem 2024; 16:89-97. [PMID: 37710047 PMCID: PMC10774119 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01321-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in de novo protein design have delivered a diversity of discrete de novo protein structures and complexes. A new challenge for the field is to use these designs directly in cells to intervene in biological processes and augment natural systems. The bottom-up design of self-assembled objects such as microcompartments and membraneless organelles is one such challenge. Here we describe the design of genetically encoded polypeptides that form membraneless organelles in Escherichia coli. To do this, we combine de novo α-helical sequences, intrinsically disordered linkers and client proteins in single-polypeptide constructs. We tailor the properties of the helical regions to shift protein assembly from arrested assemblies to dynamic condensates. The designs are characterized in cells and in vitro using biophysical methods and soft-matter physics. Finally, we use the designed polypeptide to co-compartmentalize a functional enzyme pair in E. coli, improving product formation close to the theoretical limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T Hilditch
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Andrey Romanyuk
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Stephen J Cross
- Wolfson Bioimaging Facility, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Richard Obexer
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Jennifer J McManus
- HH Wills Physics Laboratory, School of Physics, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Bristol BioDesign Institute, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Bristol BioDesign Institute, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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3
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Smith A, Naudin EA, Edgell CL, Baker EG, Mylemans B, FitzPatrick L, Herman A, Rice HM, Andrews DM, Tigue N, Woolfson DN, Savery NJ. Design and Selection of Heterodimerizing Helical Hairpins for Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1845-1858. [PMID: 37224449 PMCID: PMC10278171 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00231] [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: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology applications would benefit from protein modules of reduced complexity that function orthogonally to cellular components. As many subcellular processes depend on peptide-protein or protein-protein interactions, de novo designed polypeptides that can bring together other proteins controllably are particularly useful. Thanks to established sequence-to-structure relationships, helical bundles provide good starting points for such designs. Typically, however, such designs are tested in vitro and function in cells is not guaranteed. Here, we describe the design, characterization, and application of de novo helical hairpins that heterodimerize to form 4-helix bundles in cells. Starting from a rationally designed homodimer, we construct a library of helical hairpins and identify complementary pairs using bimolecular fluorescence complementation in E. coli. We characterize some of the pairs using biophysics and X-ray crystallography to confirm heterodimeric 4-helix bundles. Finally, we demonstrate the function of an exemplar pair in regulating transcription in both E. coli and mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail
J. Smith
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
| | - Elise A. Naudin
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
| | - Caitlin L. Edgell
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
| | - Emily G. Baker
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
| | - Bram Mylemans
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
| | | | - Andrew Herman
- Flow
Cytometry Facility, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
| | - Helen M. Rice
- Flow
Cytometry Facility, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
| | | | - Natalie Tigue
- BioPharmaceuticals
R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - Derek N. Woolfson
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
| | - Nigel J. Savery
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
- BrisEngBio,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
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4
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Merljak E, Malovrh B, Jerala R. Segmentation strategy of de novo designed four-helical bundles expands protein oligomerization modalities for cell regulation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1995. [PMID: 37031229 PMCID: PMC10082849 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37765-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions govern most biological processes. New protein assemblies can be introduced through the fusion of selected proteins with di/oligomerization domains, which interact specifically with their partners but not with other cellular proteins. While four-helical bundle proteins (4HB) have typically been assembled from two segments, each comprising two helices, here we show that they can be efficiently segmented in various ways, expanding the number of combinations generated from a single 4HB. We implement a segmentation strategy of 4HB to design two-, three-, or four-chain combinations for the recruitment of multiple protein components. Different segmentations provide new insight into the role of individual helices for 4HB assembly. We evaluate 4HB segmentations for potential use in mammalian cells for the reconstitution of a protein reporter, transcriptional activation, and inducible 4HB assembly. Furthermore, the implementation of trimerization is demonstrated as a modular chimeric antigen receptor for the recognition of multiple cancer antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estera Merljak
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programme of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Benjamin Malovrh
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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5
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Woolfson DN. Understanding a protein fold: the physics, chemistry, and biology of α-helical coiled coils. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104579. [PMID: 36871758 PMCID: PMC10124910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein science is being transformed by powerful computational methods for structure prediction and design: AlphaFold2 can predict many natural protein structures from sequence, and other AI methods are enabling the de novo design of new structures. This raises a question: how much do we understand the underlying sequence-to-structure/function relationships being captured by these methods? This perspective presents our current understanding of one class of protein assembly, the α-helical coiled coils. At first sight, these are straightforward: sequence repeats of hydrophobic (h) and polar (p) residues, (hpphppp)n, direct the folding and assembly of amphipathic α helices into bundles. However, many different bundles are possible: they can have two or more helices (different oligomers); the helices can have parallel, antiparallel or mixed arrangements (different topologies); and the helical sequences can be the same (homomers) or different (heteromers). Thus, sequence-to-structure relationships must be present within the hpphppp repeats to distinguish these states. I discuss the current understanding of this problem at three levels: First, physics gives a parametric framework to generate the many possible coiled-coil backbone structures. Second, chemistry provides a means to explore and deliver sequence-to-structure relationships. Third, biology shows how coiled coils are adapted and functionalized in nature, inspiring applications of coiled coils in synthetic biology. I argue that the chemistry is largely understood; the physics is partly solved, though the considerable challenge of predicting even relative stabilities of different coiled-coil states remains; but there is much more to explore in the biology and synthetic biology of coiled coils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom; BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
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6
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Winter DL, Lebhar H, McCluskey JB, Glover DJ. A versatile multimodal chromatography strategy to rapidly purify protein nanostructures assembled in cell lysates. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:66. [PMID: 36829140 PMCID: PMC9960191 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01817-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein nanostructures produced through the self-assembly of individual subunits are attractive scaffolds to attach and position functional molecules for applications in biomaterials, metabolic engineering, tissue engineering, and a plethora of nanomaterials. However, the assembly of multicomponent protein nanomaterials is generally a laborious process that requires each protein component to be separately expressed and purified prior to assembly. Moreover, excess components not incorporated into the final assembly must be removed from the solution and thereby necessitate additional processing steps. RESULTS We developed an efficient approach to purify functionalized protein nanostructures directly from bacterial lysates through a type of multimodal chromatography (MMC) that combines size-exclusion, hydrophilic interaction, and ion exchange to separate recombinant protein assemblies from excess free subunits and bacterial proteins. We employed the ultrastable filamentous protein gamma-prefoldin as a material scaffold that can be functionalized with a variety of protein domains through SpyTag/SpyCatcher conjugation chemistry. The purification of recombinant gamma-prefoldin filaments from bacterial lysates using MMC was tested across a wide range of salt concentrations and pH, demonstrating that the MMC resin is robust, however the optimal choice of salt species, salt concentration, and pH is likely dependent on the protein nanostructure to be purified. In addition, we show that pre-processing of the samples with tangential flow filtration to remove nucleotides and metabolites improves resin capacity, and that post-processing with Triton X-114 phase partitioning is useful to remove lipids and any remaining lipid-associated protein. Subsequently, functionalized protein filaments were purified from bacterial lysates using MMC and shown to be free of unincorporated subunits. The assembly and purification of protein filaments with varying amounts of functionalization was confirmed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Förster resonance energy transfer, and transmission electron microscopy. Finally, we compared our MMC workflow to anion exchange chromatography with the purification of encapsulin nanocompartments containing a fluorescent protein as a cargo, demonstrating the versatility of the protocol and that the purity of the assembly is comparable to more traditional procedures. CONCLUSIONS We envision that the use of MMC will increase the throughput of protein nanostructure prototyping as well as enable the upscaling of the bioproduction of protein nanodevices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L. Winter
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hélène Lebhar
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432Recombinant Products Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joshua B. McCluskey
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dominic J. Glover
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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7
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Lee B, Wang T. A Modular Scaffold for Controlling Transcriptional Activation via Homomeric Protein-Protein Interactions. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3198-3206. [PMID: 36215660 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have been extensively utilized in synthetic biology to construct artificial gene networks. However, synthetic regulation of gene expression by PPIs in E. coli has largely relied upon repressors, and existing PPI-controlled transcriptional activators have generally been employed with heterodimeric interactions. Here we report a highly modular, PPI-dependent transcriptional activator, cCadC, that was designed to be compatible with homomeric interactions. We describe the process of engineering cCadC from a transmembrane protein into a soluble cytosolic regulator. We then show that gene transcription by cCadC can be controlled by homomeric PPIs and furthermore discriminates between dimeric and higher-order interactions. Finally, we demonstrate that cCadC activity can be placed under small molecule regulation using chemically induced dimerization or ligand dependent stabilization. This work should greatly expand the scope of PPIs that can be employed in artificial gene circuits in E. coli and complements the existing repertoire of tools for transcriptional regulation in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- ByungUk Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Tina Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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8
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Naudin EA, Albanese KI, Smith AJ, Mylemans B, Baker EG, Weiner OD, Andrews DM, Tigue N, Savery NJ, Woolfson DN. From peptides to proteins: coiled-coil tetramers to single-chain 4-helix bundles. Chem Sci 2022; 13:11330-11340. [PMID: 36320580 PMCID: PMC9533478 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04479j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of completely synthetic proteins from first principles-de novo protein design-is challenging. This is because, despite recent advances in computational protein-structure prediction and design, we do not understand fully the sequence-to-structure relationships for protein folding, assembly, and stabilization. Antiparallel 4-helix bundles are amongst the most studied scaffolds for de novo protein design. We set out to re-examine this target, and to determine clear sequence-to-structure relationships, or design rules, for the structure. Our aim was to determine a common and robust sequence background for designing multiple de novo 4-helix bundles. In turn, this could be used in chemical and synthetic biology to direct protein-protein interactions and as scaffolds for functional protein design. Our approach starts by analyzing known antiparallel 4-helix coiled-coil structures to deduce design rules. In terms of the heptad repeat, abcdefg -i.e., the sequence signature of many helical bundles-the key features that we identify are: a = Leu, d = Ile, e = Ala, g = Gln, and the use of complementary charged residues at b and c. Next, we implement these rules in the rational design of synthetic peptides to form antiparallel homo- and heterotetramers. Finally, we use the sequence of the homotetramer to derive in one step a single-chain 4-helix-bundle protein for recombinant production in E. coli. All of the assembled designs are confirmed in aqueous solution using biophysical methods, and ultimately by determining high-resolution X-ray crystal structures. Our route from peptides to proteins provides an understanding of the role of each residue in each design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise A Naudin
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Katherine I Albanese
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Abigail J Smith
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Bram Mylemans
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Emily G Baker
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Orion D Weiner
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South San Francisco CA 94158 USA
| | - David M Andrews
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca Cambridge Science Park, Darwin Building Cambridge CB4 0WG UK
| | - Natalie Tigue
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca Granta Park Cambridge CB21 6GH UK
| | - Nigel J Savery
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
- BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
- BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
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9
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Rhys GG, Cross JA, Dawson WM, Thompson HF, Shanmugaratnam S, Savery NJ, Dodding MP, Höcker B, Woolfson DN. De novo designed peptides for cellular delivery and subcellular localisation. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:999-1004. [PMID: 35836017 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01076-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Increasingly, it is possible to design peptide and protein assemblies de novo from first principles or computationally. This approach provides new routes to functional synthetic polypeptides, including designs to target and bind proteins of interest. Much of this work has been developed in vitro. Therefore, a challenge is to deliver de novo polypeptides efficiently to sites of action within cells. Here we describe the design, characterisation, intracellular delivery, and subcellular localisation of a de novo synthetic peptide system. This system comprises a dual-function basic peptide, programmed both for cell penetration and target binding, and a complementary acidic peptide that can be fused to proteins of interest and introduced into cells using synthetic DNA. The designs are characterised in vitro using biophysical methods and X-ray crystallography. The utility of the system for delivery into mammalian cells and subcellular targeting is demonstrated by marking organelles and actively engaging functional protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guto G Rhys
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Jessica A Cross
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Harry F Thompson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Nigel J Savery
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Mark P Dodding
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Birte Höcker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. .,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. .,BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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10
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Neitz H, Paul NB, Häge FR, Lindner C, Graebner R, Kovermann M, Thomas F. Identification of novel functional mini-receptors by combinatorial screening of split-WW domains. Chem Sci 2022; 13:9079-9090. [PMID: 36091217 PMCID: PMC9365081 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01078j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Sheet motifs such as the WW domain are increasingly being explored as building blocks for synthetic biological applications. Since the sequence-structure relationships of β-sheet motifs are generally complex compared to the well-studied α-helical coiled coil (CC), other approaches such as combinatorial screening should be included to vary the function of the peptide. In this study, we present a combinatorial approach to identify novel functional mini-proteins based on the WW-domain scaffold, which takes advantage of the successful reconstitution of the fragmented WW domain of hPin1 (hPin1WW) by CC association. Fragmentation of hPin1WW was performed in both loop 1 (CC-hPin1WW-L1) and loop 2 (CC-hPin1WW-L2), and the respective fragments were linked to the strands of an antiparallel heterodimeric CC. Structural analysis by CD and NMR spectroscopy revealed structural reconstitution of the WW-domain scaffold only in CC-hPin1WW-L1, but not in CC-hPin1WW-L2. Furthermore, by using 1H-15N HSQC NMR, fluorescence and CD spectroscopy, we demonstrated that binding properties of fragmented hPin1WW in CC-hPin1WW-L1 were fully restored by CC association. To demonstrate the power of this approach as a combinatorial screening platform, we synthesized a four-by-six library of N- and C-terminal hPin1WW-CC peptide fragments that was screened for a WW domain that preferentially binds to ATP over cAMP, phophocholine, or IP6. Using this screening platform, we identified one WW domain, which specifically binds ATP, and a phosphorylcholine-specific WW-based mini-receptor, both having binding dissociation constants in the lower micromolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermann Neitz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg Am Hubland Würzburg 97074 Germany
| | - Niels Benjamin Paul
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Göttingen Tammannstr. 2 Göttingen 37077 Germany
| | - Florian R Häge
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Heidelberg University Im Neuenheimer Feld 270 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
- Centre for Advanced Materials, Heidelberg University Im Neuenheimer Feld 225 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
| | - Christina Lindner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Heidelberg University Im Neuenheimer Feld 270 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
- Centre for Advanced Materials, Heidelberg University Im Neuenheimer Feld 225 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
| | - Roman Graebner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Heidelberg University Im Neuenheimer Feld 270 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
- Centre for Advanced Materials, Heidelberg University Im Neuenheimer Feld 225 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
| | - Michael Kovermann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz Universitätsstraße 10 Konstanz 78457 Germany
| | - Franziska Thomas
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Heidelberg University Im Neuenheimer Feld 270 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
- Centre for Advanced Materials, Heidelberg University Im Neuenheimer Feld 225 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
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11
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Booth R, Insua I, Ahmed S, Rioboo A, Montenegro J. Supramolecular fibrillation of peptide amphiphiles induces environmental responses in aqueous droplets. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6421. [PMID: 34741043 PMCID: PMC8571317 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26681-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
One-dimensional (1D) supramolecular polymers are commonly found in natural and synthetic systems to prompt functional responses that capitalise on hierarchical molecular ordering. Despite amphiphilic self-assembly being significantly studied in the context of aqueous encapsulation and autopoiesis, very little is currently known about the physico-chemical consequences and functional role of 1D supramolecular polymerisation confined in aqueous compartments. Here, we describe the different phenomena that resulted from the chemically triggered supramolecular fibrillation of synthetic peptide amphiphiles inside water microdroplets. The confined connection of suitable dormant precursors triggered a physically autocatalysed chemical reaction that resulted in functional environmental responses such as molecular uptake, fusion and chemical exchange. These results demonstrate the potential of minimalistic 1D supramolecular polymerisation to modulate the behaviour of individual aqueous entities with their environment and within communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Booth
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ignacio Insua
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Sahnawaz Ahmed
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Alicia Rioboo
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Javier Montenegro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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12
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Synthetic Protein Circuits and Devices Based on Reversible Protein-Protein Interactions: An Overview. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111171. [PMID: 34833047 PMCID: PMC8623019 DOI: 10.3390/life11111171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) contribute to regulate many aspects of cell physiology and metabolism. Protein domains involved in PPIs are important building blocks for engineering genetic circuits through synthetic biology. These domains can be obtained from known proteins and rationally engineered to produce orthogonal scaffolds, or computationally designed de novo thanks to recent advances in structural biology and molecular dynamics prediction. Such circuits based on PPIs (or protein circuits) appear of particular interest, as they can directly affect transcriptional outputs, as well as induce behavioral/adaptational changes in cell metabolism, without the need for further protein synthesis. This last example was highlighted in recent works to enable the production of fast-responding circuits which can be exploited for biosensing and diagnostics. Notably, PPIs can also be engineered to develop new drugs able to bind specific intra- and extra-cellular targets. In this review, we summarize recent findings in the field of protein circuit design, with particular focus on the use of peptides as scaffolds to engineer these circuits.
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13
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Mishra D, Bepler T, Teague B, Berger B, Broach J, Weiss R. An engineered protein-phosphorylation toggle network with implications for endogenous network discovery. Science 2021; 373:eaav0780. [PMID: 34210851 PMCID: PMC11203391 DOI: 10.1126/science.aav0780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biological networks comprising fast, reversible reactions could enable engineering of new cellular behaviors that are not possible with slower regulation. Here, we created a bistable toggle switch in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a cross-repression topology comprising 11 protein-protein phosphorylation elements. The toggle is ultrasensitive, can be induced to switch states in seconds, and exhibits long-term bistability. Motivated by our toggle's architecture and size, we developed a computational framework to search endogenous protein pathways for other large and similar bistable networks. Our framework helped us to identify and experimentally verify five formerly unreported endogenous networks that exhibit bistability. Building synthetic protein-protein networks will enable bioengineers to design fast sensing and processing systems, allow sophisticated regulation of cellular processes, and aid discovery of endogenous networks with particular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Mishra
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tristan Bepler
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computational and Systems Biology Graduate Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Simons Machine Learning Center, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian Teague
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin, Stout, WI, USA
| | - Bonnie Berger
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computational and Systems Biology Graduate Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jim Broach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Ron Weiss
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computational and Systems Biology Graduate Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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14
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ElGamacy M, Hernandez Alvarez B. Expanding the versatility of natural and de novo designed coiled coils and helical bundles. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 68:224-234. [PMID: 33964630 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural helical bundles (HBs) constitute a ubiquitous class of protein folds built of two or more longitudinally arranged α-helices. They adopt topologies that include symmetric, highly regular assemblies all the way to asymmetric, loosely packed domains. The diverse functional spectrum of HBs ranges from structural scaffolds to complex and dynamic effectors as molecular motors, signaling and sensing molecules, enzymes, and molecular switches. Symmetric HBs, particularly coiled coils, offer simple model systems providing an ideal entry point for protein folding and design studies. Herein, we review recent progress unveiling new structural features and functional mechanisms in natural HBs and cover staggering advances in the de novo design of HBs, giving rise to exotic structures and the creation of novel functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad ElGamacy
- Systems Biology of Development Group, Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, Max-Planck-Ring 9, Tübingen, 72076, Germany; Division of Translational Oncology, Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 10, Tübingen, 72076, Germany; Department of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Birte Hernandez Alvarez
- Department of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.
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15
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Plaper T, Aupič J, Dekleva P, Lapenta F, Keber MM, Jerala R, Benčina M. Coiled-coil heterodimers with increased stability for cellular regulation and sensing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated cell fusion. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9136. [PMID: 33911109 PMCID: PMC8080620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88315-3] [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: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coiled-coil (CC) dimer-forming peptides are attractive designable modules for mediating protein association. Highly stable CCs are desired for biological activity regulation and assay. Here, we report the design and versatile applications of orthogonal CC dimer-forming peptides with a dissociation constant in the low nanomolar range. In vitro stability and specificity was confirmed in mammalian cells by enzyme reconstitution, transcriptional activation using a combination of DNA-binding and a transcriptional activation domain, and cellular-enzyme-activity regulation based on externally-added peptides. In addition to cellular regulation, coiled-coil-mediated reporter reconstitution was used for the detection of cell fusion mediated by the interaction between the spike protein of pandemic SARS-CoV2 and the ACE2 receptor. This assay can be used to investigate the mechanism of viral spike protein-mediated fusion or screening for viral inhibitors under biosafety level 1 conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjaša Plaper
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Interfaculty Doctoral Study of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jana Aupič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Petra Dekleva
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Fabio Lapenta
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne Fronte 13, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mateja Manček Keber
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne Fronte 13, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne Fronte 13, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Mojca Benčina
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne Fronte 13, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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16
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Fragment-linking peptide design yields a high-affinity ligand for microtubule-based transport. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1347-1355.e5. [PMID: 33838110 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic peptides are attractive candidates to manipulate protein-protein interactions inside the cell as they mimic natural interactions to compete for binding. However, protein-peptide interactions are often dynamic and weak. A challenge is to design peptides that make improved interactions with the target. Here, we devise a fragment-linking strategy-"mash-up" design-to deliver a high-affinity ligand, KinTag, for the kinesin-1 motor. Using structural insights from natural micromolar-affinity cargo-adaptor ligands, we have identified and combined key binding features in a single, high-affinity ligand. An X-ray crystal structure demonstrates interactions as designed and reveals only a modest increase in interface area. Moreover, when genetically encoded, KinTag promotes transport of lysosomes with higher efficiency than natural sequences, revealing a direct link between motor-adaptor binding affinity and organelle transport. Together, these data demonstrate a fragment-linking strategy for peptide design and its application in a synthetic motor ligand to direct cellular cargo transport.
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17
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Ferrando J, Solomon LA. Recent Progress Using De Novo Design to Study Protein Structure, Design and Binding Interactions. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11030225. [PMID: 33802210 PMCID: PMC7999464 DOI: 10.3390/life11030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo protein design is a powerful methodology used to study natural functions in an artificial-protein context. Since its inception, it has been used to reproduce a plethora of reactions and uncover biophysical principles that are often difficult to extract from direct studies of natural proteins. Natural proteins are capable of assuming a variety of different structures and subsequently binding ligands at impressively high levels of both specificity and affinity. Here, we will review recent examples of de novo design studies on binding reactions for small molecules, nucleic acids, and the formation of protein-protein interactions. We will then discuss some new structural advances in the field. Finally, we will discuss some advancements in computational modeling and design approaches and provide an overview of some modern algorithmic tools being used to design these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ferrando
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
| | - Lee A. Solomon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +703-993-6418
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18
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Structural resolution of switchable states of a de novo peptide assembly. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1530. [PMID: 33750792 PMCID: PMC7943578 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21851-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo protein design is advancing rapidly. However, most designs are for single states. Here we report a de novo designed peptide that forms multiple α-helical-bundle states that are accessible and interconvertible under the same conditions. Usually in such designs amphipathic α helices associate to form compact structures with consolidated hydrophobic cores. However, recent rational and computational designs have delivered open α-helical barrels with functionalisable cavities. By placing glycine judiciously in the helical interfaces of an α-helical barrel, we obtain both open and compact states in a single protein crystal. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate a free-energy landscape with multiple and interconverting states. Together, these findings suggest a frustrated system in which steric interactions that maintain the open barrel and the hydrophobic effect that drives complete collapse are traded-off. Indeed, addition of a hydrophobic co-solvent that can bind within the barrel affects the switch between the states both in silico and experimentally. So far most of the de novo designed proteins are for single states only. Here, the authors present the de novo design and crystal structure determination of a coiled-coil peptide that assembles into multiple, distinct conformational states under the same conditions and further characterise its properties with biophysical experiments, NMR and MD simulations.
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19
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De novo design of a reversible phosphorylation-dependent switch for membrane targeting. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1472. [PMID: 33674566 PMCID: PMC7935970 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21622-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Modules that switch protein-protein interactions on and off are essential to develop synthetic biology; for example, to construct orthogonal signaling pathways, to control artificial protein structures dynamically, and for protein localization in cells or protocells. In nature, the E. coli MinCDE system couples nucleotide-dependent switching of MinD dimerization to membrane targeting to trigger spatiotemporal pattern formation. Here we present a de novo peptide-based molecular switch that toggles reversibly between monomer and dimer in response to phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. In combination with other modules, we construct fusion proteins that couple switching to lipid-membrane targeting by: (i) tethering a ‘cargo’ molecule reversibly to a permanent membrane ‘anchor’; and (ii) creating a ‘membrane-avidity switch’ that mimics the MinD system but operates by reversible phosphorylation. These minimal, de novo molecular switches have potential applications for introducing dynamic processes into designed and engineered proteins to augment functions in living cells and add functionality to protocells. The ability to dynamically control protein-protein interactions and localization of proteins is critical in synthetic biological systems. Here the authors develop a peptide-based molecular switch that regulates dimer formation and lipid membrane targeting via reversible phosphorylation.
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20
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Winter DL, Iranmanesh H, Clark DS, Glover DJ. Design of Tunable Protein Interfaces Controlled by Post-Translational Modifications. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2132-2143. [PMID: 32702241 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The design of protein interaction interfaces is a cornerstone of synthetic biology, where they can be used to promote the association of protein subunits into active molecular complexes or into protein nanostructures. In nature, protein interactions can be modulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs) that modify the protein interfaces with the addition and removal of various chemical groups. PTMs thus represent a means to gain control over protein interactions, yet they have seldom been considered in the design of synthetic proteins. Here, we explore the potential of a reversible PTM, serine phosphorylation, to modulate the interactions between peptides. We designed a series of interacting peptide pairs, including heterodimeric coiled coils, that contained one or more protein kinase A (PKA) recognition motifs. Our set of peptide pairs comprised interactions ranging from nanomolar to micromolar affinities. Mass spectrometry analyses showed that all peptides were excellent phosphorylation substrates of PKA, and subsequent phosphate removal could be catalyzed by lambda protein phosphatase. Binding kinetics measurements performed before and after treatment of the peptides with PKA revealed that phosphorylation of the target serines affected both the association and dissociation rates of the interacting peptides. We observed both the strengthening of interactions (up to an 11-fold decrease in Kd) and the weakening of interactions (up to a 180-fold increase in Kd). De novo-designed PTM-modulated interfaces will be useful to control the association of proteins in biological systems using protein-modifying enzymes, expanding the paradigm of self-assembly to encompass controlled assembly of engineerable protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L. Winter
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Hasti Iranmanesh
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Douglas S. Clark
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Dominic J. Glover
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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21
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Chen Z, Kibler RD, Hunt A, Busch F, Pearl J, Jia M, VanAernum ZL, Wicky BIM, Dods G, Liao H, Wilken MS, Ciarlo C, Green S, El-Samad H, Stamatoyannopoulos J, Wysocki VH, Jewett MC, Boyken SE, Baker D. De novo design of protein logic gates. Science 2020; 368:78-84. [PMID: 32241946 DOI: 10.1126/science.aay2790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The design of modular protein logic for regulating protein function at the posttranscriptional level is a challenge for synthetic biology. Here, we describe the design of two-input AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XNOR, and NOT gates built from de novo-designed proteins. These gates regulate the association of arbitrary protein units ranging from split enzymes to transcriptional machinery in vitro, in yeast and in primary human T cells, where they control the expression of the TIM3 gene related to T cell exhaustion. Designed binding interaction cooperativity, confirmed by native mass spectrometry, makes the gates largely insensitive to stoichiometric imbalances in the inputs, and the modularity of the approach enables ready extension to three-input OR, AND, and disjunctive normal form gates. The modularity and cooperativity of the control elements, coupled with the ability to de novo design an essentially unlimited number of protein components, should enable the design of sophisticated posttranslational control logic over a wide range of biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibo Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ryan D Kibler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Andrew Hunt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Florian Busch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Resource for Native Mass Spectrometry Guided Structural Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jocelynn Pearl
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Mengxuan Jia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Resource for Native Mass Spectrometry Guided Structural Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zachary L VanAernum
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Resource for Native Mass Spectrometry Guided Structural Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Basile I M Wicky
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Galen Dods
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Hanna Liao
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Matthew S Wilken
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Christie Ciarlo
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Shon Green
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hana El-Samad
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - John Stamatoyannopoulos
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Vicki H Wysocki
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Resource for Native Mass Spectrometry Guided Structural Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.,Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Scott E Boyken
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. .,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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22
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Becskei A. Tuning up Transcription Factors for Therapy. Molecules 2020; 25:E1902. [PMID: 32326099 PMCID: PMC7221782 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent developments in the delivery and design of transcription factors put their therapeutic applications within reach, exemplified by cell replacement, cancer differentiation and T-cell based cancer therapies. The success of such applications depends on the efficacy and precision in the action of transcription factors. The biophysical and genetic characterization of the paradigmatic prokaryotic repressors, LacI and TetR and the designer transcription factors, transcription activator-like effector (TALE) and CRISPR-dCas9 revealed common principles behind their efficacy, which can aid the optimization of transcriptional activators and repressors. Further studies will be required to analyze the linkage between dissociation constants and enzymatic activity, the role of phase separation and squelching in activation and repression and the long-range interaction of transcription factors with epigenetic regulators in the context of the chromosomes. Understanding these mechanisms will help to tailor natural and synthetic transcription factors to the needs of specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Becskei
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
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23
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Edgell CL, Savery NJ, Woolfson DN. Robust De Novo-Designed Homotetrameric Coiled Coils. Biochemistry 2020; 59:1087-1092. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin L. Edgell
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel J. Savery
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Derek N. Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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24
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Edgell CL, Smith AJ, Beesley JL, Savery NJ, Woolfson DN. De Novo Designed Protein-Interaction Modules for In-Cell Applications. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:427-436. [PMID: 31977192 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions control a wide variety of natural biological processes. α-Helical coiled coils frequently mediate such protein-protein interactions. Due to the relative simplicity of their sequences and structures and the ease with which properties such as strength and specificity of interaction can be controlled, coiled coils can be designed de novo to deliver a variety of non-natural protein-protein interaction domains. Herein, several de novo designed coiled coils are tested for their ability to mediate protein-protein interactions in Escherichia coli cells. The set includes a parallel homodimer, a parallel homotetramer, an antiparallel homotetramer, and a newly designed heterotetramer, all of which have been characterized in vitro by biophysical and structural methods. Using a transcription repression assay based on reconstituting the Lac repressor, we find that the modules behave as designed in the cellular environment. Each design imparts a different property to the resulting Lac repressor-coiled coil complexes, resulting in the benefit of being able to reconfigure the system in multiple ways. Modification of the system also allows the interactions to be controlled: assembly can be tuned by controlling the expression of the constituent components, and complexes can be disrupted through helix sequestration. The small and straightforward de novo designed components that we deliver are highly versatile and have considerable potential as protein-protein interaction domains in synthetic biology where proteins must be assembled in highly specific ways. The relative simplicity of the designs makes them amenable to future modifications to introduce finer control over their assembly and to adapt them for different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin L. Edgell
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Abigail J. Smith
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph L. Beesley
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel J. Savery
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Derek N. Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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25
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Sztatelman O, Kopeć K, Pędziwiatr M, Trojnar M, Worch R, Wielgus-Kutrowska B, Jemioła-Rzemińska M, Bzowska A, Grzyb J. Heterodimerizing helices as tools for nanoscale control of the organization of protein-protein and protein-quantum dots. Biochimie 2019; 167:93-105. [PMID: 31560933 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we tested the possibility of creating complexes of two proteins by fusing them with heterodimerizing helices. We used the fluorescent proteins GFP and mCHERRY expressed with a His-tag as our model system. We added heterodimer-forming sequences at the C- or N- termini of the proteins, opposite to the His-tag position. Heterodimerization was tested for both helices at the C-terminus or at the N- terminus and C-terminus. We observed complex formation with a nanomolar dissociation constant in both cases that was higher by one order of magnitude than the Kds measured for helices alone. The binding of two C-terminal helices was accompanied by an increased enthalpy change. The binding between helices could be stabilized by introducing an additional turn of the helix with cysteine, which was capable of forming disulphide bridges. Covalently linked proteins were obtained using this strategy and observed using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy. Finally, we demonstrated the formation of complexes of protein dimers and quantum dots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Sztatelman
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5a, PL02106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kopeć
- Institute of Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Lotników 32/46, PL02668, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Pędziwiatr
- Institute of Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Lotników 32/46, PL02668, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Martyna Trojnar
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie Str. 14a, PL50383, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Remigiusz Worch
- Institute of Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Lotników 32/46, PL02668, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Wielgus-Kutrowska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, PL02093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Jemioła-Rzemińska
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, PL30387, Krakow, Poland; Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, PL30387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Bzowska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, PL02093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Grzyb
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie Str. 14a, PL50383, Wrocław, Poland.
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