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Kampfrath M, Staritzbichler R, Hernández GP, Rose AS, Tiemann JKS, Scheuermann G, Wiegreffe D, Hildebrand PW. MDsrv: visual sharing and analysis of molecular dynamics simulations. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:W483-W489. [PMID: 35639717 PMCID: PMC9252803 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulation is a proven technique for computing and visualizing the time-resolved motion of macromolecules at atomic resolution. The MDsrv is a tool that streams MD trajectories and displays them interactively in web browsers without requiring advanced skills, facilitating interactive exploration and collaborative visual analysis. We have now enhanced the MDsrv to further simplify the upload and sharing of MD trajectories and improve their online viewing and analysis. With the new instance, the MDsrv simplifies the creation of sessions, which allows the exchange of MD trajectories with preset representations and perspectives. An important innovation is that the MDsrv can now access and visualize trajectories from remote datasets, which greatly expands its applicability and use, as the data no longer needs to be accessible on a local server. In addition, initial analyses such as sequence or structure alignments, distance measurements, or RMSD calculations have been implemented, which optionally support visual analysis. Finally, based on Mol*, MDsrv now provides faster and more efficient visualization of even large trajectories compared to its predecessor tool NGL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kampfrath
- Image and Signal Processing Group, Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - René Staritzbichler
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Härtelstraße 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Guillermo Pérez Hernández
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Johanna K S Tiemann
- Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | - Gerik Scheuermann
- Image and Signal Processing Group, Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Wiegreffe
- Image and Signal Processing Group, Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter W Hildebrand
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Härtelstraße 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany.,Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, 10178 Berlin, Germany
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2
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Staritzbichler R, Yaklich E, Sarti E, Ristic N, Hildebrand PW, Forrest LR. AlignMe: an update of the web server for alignment of membrane protein sequences. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:W29-W35. [PMID: 35609986 PMCID: PMC9252776 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The AlignMe web server is dedicated to accurately aligning sequences of membrane proteins, a particularly challenging task due to the strong evolutionary divergence and the low compositional complexity of hydrophobic membrane-spanning proteins. AlignMe can create pairwise alignments of either two primary amino acid sequences or two hydropathy profiles. The web server for AlignMe has been continuously available for >10 years, supporting 1000s of users per year. Recent improvements include anchoring, multiple submissions, and structure visualization. Anchoring is the ability to constrain a position in an alignment, which allows expert information about related residues in proteins to be incorporated into an alignment without manual modification. The original web interface to the server limited the user to one alignment per submission, hindering larger scale studies. Now, batches of alignments can be initiated with a single submission. Finally, to provide structural context for the relationship between proteins, sequence similarity can now be mapped onto one or more structures (or structural models) of the proteins being aligned, by links to MutationExplorer, a web-based visualization tool. Together with a refreshed user interface, these features further enhance an important resource in the membrane protein community. The AlignMe web server is freely available at https://www.bioinfo.mpg.de/AlignMe/.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Staritzbichler
- University of Leipzig, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Emily Yaklich
- Computational Structural Biology Section, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Edoardo Sarti
- Algorithms, Biology, Structure Unit Inria Sophia Antipolis - Méditerranée, 06902 Valbonne, France
| | - Nikola Ristic
- University of Leipzig, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter W Hildebrand
- University of Leipzig, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany.,Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lucy R Forrest
- Computational Structural Biology Section, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Donovan E, Avila C, Klausner S, Parikh V, Fenollar-Ferrer C, Blakely RD, Sarter M. Disrupted Choline Clearance and Sustained Acetylcholine Release In Vivo by a Common Choline Transporter Coding Variant Associated with Poor Attentional Control in Humans. J Neurosci 2022; 42:3426-3444. [PMID: 35232764 PMCID: PMC9034784 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1334-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transport of choline via the neuronal high-affinity choline transporter (CHT; SLC5A7) is essential for cholinergic terminals to synthesize and release acetylcholine (ACh). In humans, we previously demonstrated an association between a common CHT coding substitution (rs1013940; Ile89Val) and reduced attentional control as well as attenuated frontal cortex activation. Here, we used a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to generate mice expressing the I89V substitution and assessed, in vivo, CHT-mediated choline transport, and ACh release. Relative to wild-type (WT) mice, CHT-mediated clearance of choline in male and female mice expressing one or two Val89 alleles was reduced by over 80% in cortex and over 50% in striatum. Choline clearance in CHT Val89 mice was further reduced by neuronal inactivation. Deficits in ACh release, 5 and 10 min after repeated depolarization at a low, behaviorally relevant frequency, support an attenuated reloading capacity of cholinergic neurons in mutant mice. The density of CHTs in total synaptosomal lysates and neuronal plasma-membrane-enriched fractions was not impacted by the Val89 variant, indicating a selective impact on CHT function. When challenged with a visual disruptor to reveal attentional control mechanisms, Val89 mice failed to adopt a more conservative response bias. Structural modeling revealed that Val89 may attenuate choline transport by altering conformational changes of CHT that support normal transport rates. Our findings support the view that diminished sustained cholinergic signaling capacity underlies perturbed attentional performance in individuals expressing CHT Val89. The CHT Val89 mouse serves as a valuable model to study heritable risk for cognitive disorders arising from cholinergic dysfunction.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Acetylcholine (ACh) signaling depends on the functional capacity of the neuronal choline transporter (CHT). Previous research demonstrated that humans expressing the common CHT coding variant Val89 exhibit attentional vulnerabilities and attenuated fronto-cortical activation during attention. Here, we find that mice engineered to express the Val89 variant exhibit reduced CHT-mediated choline clearance and a diminished capacity to sustain ACh release. Additionally, Val89 mice lack cognitive flexibility in response to an attentional challenge. These findings provide a mechanistic and cognitive framework for interpreting the attentional phenotype associated with the human Val89 variant and establish a model that permits a more invasive interrogation of CNS effects as well as the development of therapeutic strategies for those, including Val89 carriers, with presynaptic cholinergic perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eryn Donovan
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Cassandra Avila
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Sarah Klausner
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122
| | - Cristina Fenollar-Ferrer
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Section of Human Genetics, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Randy D Blakely
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458
| | - Martin Sarter
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program and Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
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Szöllősi D, Stockner T. Sodium Binding Stabilizes the Outward-Open State of SERT by Limiting Bundle Domain Motions. Cells 2022; 11:cells11020255. [PMID: 35053371 PMCID: PMC8773566 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The human serotonin transporter (hSERT) removes the neurotransmitter serotonin from the synaptic cleft by reuptake into the presynaptic nerve terminal. A number of neurologic diseases are associated with dysfunction of the hSERT, and several medications for their treatment are hSERT blockers, including citalopram, fluoxetine, and paroxetine. The substrate transport is energized by the high concentration of external NaCl. We showed through molecular dynamics simulations that the binding of NaCl stabilized the hSERT in the substrate-binding competent conformation, which was characterized by an open access path to the substrate-binding site through the outer vestibule. Importantly, the binding of NaCl reduced the dynamics of the hSERT by decreasing the internal fluctuations of the bundle domain as well as the movement of the bundle domain relative to the scaffold domain. In contrast, the presence of only the bound chloride ion did not reduce the high domain mobility of the apo state.
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Tiwari V, Panta PR, Billiot CE, Douglass MV, Herrera CM, Trent MS, Doerrler WT. A Klebsiella pneumoniae DedA family membrane protein is required for colistin resistance and for virulence in wax moth larvae. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24365. [PMID: 34934166 PMCID: PMC8692421 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03834-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ineffectiveness of carbapenems against multidrug resistant pathogens led to the increased use of colistin (polymyxin E) as a last resort antibiotic. A gene belonging to the DedA family encoding conserved membrane proteins was previously identified by screening a transposon library of K. pneumoniae ST258 for sensitivity to colistin. We have renamed this gene dkcA (dedA of Klebsiella required for colistin resistance). DedA family proteins are likely membrane transporters required for viability of Escherichia coli and Burkholderia spp. at alkaline pH and for resistance to colistin in a number of bacterial species. Colistin resistance is often conferred via modification of the lipid A component of bacterial lipopolysaccharide with aminoarabinose (Ara4N) and/or phosphoethanolamine. Mass spectrometry analysis of lipid A of the ∆dkcA mutant shows a near absence of Ara4N in the lipid A, suggesting a requirement for DkcA for lipid A modification with Ara4N. Mutation of K. pneumoniae dkcA resulted in a reduction of the colistin minimal inhibitory concentration to approximately what is found with a ΔarnT strain. We also identify a requirement of DkcA for colistin resistance that is independent of lipid A modification, instead requiring maintenance of optimal membrane potential. K. pneumoniae ΔdkcA displays reduced virulence in Galleria mellonella suggesting colistin sensitivity can cause loss of virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Tiwari
- grid.64337.350000 0001 0662 7451Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA USA
| | - Pradip R. Panta
- grid.64337.350000 0001 0662 7451Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA USA
| | - Caitlin E. Billiot
- grid.64337.350000 0001 0662 7451Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA USA
| | - Martin V. Douglass
- grid.213876.90000 0004 1936 738XDepartment of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA
| | - Carmen M. Herrera
- grid.213876.90000 0004 1936 738XDepartment of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA
| | - M. Stephen Trent
- grid.213876.90000 0004 1936 738XDepartment of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA
| | - William T. Doerrler
- grid.64337.350000 0001 0662 7451Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA USA
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6
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Caldeira JB, Chung AP, Piedade AP, Morais PV, Branco R. A DedA Family Membrane Protein in Indium Extrusion in Rhodanobacter sp. B2A1Ga4. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:772127. [PMID: 34925279 PMCID: PMC8679861 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.772127] [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: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Indium (In) is a critical metal widely used in electronic equipment, and the supply of this precious metal is a major challenge for sustainable development. The use of microorganisms for the recovery of this critical high-tech element has been considered an excellent eco-friendly strategy. The Rhodanobacter sp. B2A1Ga4 strain, highly resistant to In, was studied in order to disclose the bacterial mechanisms closely linked to the ability to cope with this metal. The mutation of the gene encoding for a DedA protein homolog, YqaA, affected drastically the In resistance and the cellular metabolic activity of strain Rhodanobacter sp. B2A1Ga4 in presence of this metal. This indicates that this protein plays an important role in its In resistance phenotype. The negative impact of In might be related to the high accumulation of the metal into the mutant cells showing In concentration up to approximately 4-fold higher than the native strain. In addition, the expression of the yqaA gene in this mutant reverted the bacterial phenotype with a significant decrease of In accumulation levels into the cells and an increase of In resistance. Membrane potential measurements showed similar values for native and mutant cells, suggesting that there was no loss of proton-motive force in the mutant cells. The results from this study suggest a potential role of this DedA family protein as a membrane transporter involved in the In efflux process. The mutant strain also has the potential to be used as a biotool in bioaccumulation strategies, for the recovery of In in biomining activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana B Caldeira
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Life Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Chung
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Life Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Piedade
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula V Morais
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Life Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Branco
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Life Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
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Scarsbrook HL, Urban R, Streather BR, Moores A, Mulligan C. Topological analysis of a bacterial DedA protein associated with alkaline tolerance and antimicrobial resistance. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2021; 167. [PMID: 34914576 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining membrane integrity is of paramount importance to the survival of bacteria as the membrane is the site of multiple crucial cellular processes including energy generation, nutrient uptake and antimicrobial efflux. The DedA family of integral membrane proteins are widespread in bacteria and are associated with maintaining the integrity of the membrane. In addition, DedA proteins have been linked to resistance to multiple classes of antimicrobials in various microorganisms. Therefore, the DedA family are attractive targets for the development of new antibiotics. Despite DedA family members playing a key physiological role in many bacteria, their structure, function and physiological role remain unclear. To help illuminate the structure of the bacterial DedA proteins, we performed substituted cysteine accessibility method (SCAM) analysis on the most comprehensively characterized bacterial DedA protein, YqjA from Escherichia coli. By probing the accessibility of 15 cysteine residues across the length of YqjA using thiol reactive reagents, we mapped the topology of the protein. Using these data, we experimentally validated a structural model of YqjA generated using evolutionary covariance, which consists of an α-helical bundle with two re-entrant hairpin loops reminiscent of several secondary active transporters. In addition, our cysteine accessibility data suggest that YqjA forms an oligomer wherein the protomers are arranged in a parallel fashion. This experimentally verified model of YqjA lays the foundation for future work in understanding the function and mechanism of this interesting and important family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hollie L Scarsbrook
- School of Biosciences, Division of Natural Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NH, UK
| | - Roman Urban
- School of Biosciences, Division of Natural Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NH, UK
| | - Bree R Streather
- School of Biosciences, Division of Natural Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NH, UK
| | - Alexandra Moores
- School of Biosciences, Division of Natural Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NH, UK
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Chloride-dependent conformational changes in the GlyT1 glycine transporter. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2017431118. [PMID: 33658361 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2017431118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The human GlyT1 glycine transporter requires chloride for its function. However, the mechanism by which Cl- exerts its influence is unknown. To examine the role that Cl- plays in the transport cycle, we measured the effect of Cl- on both glycine binding and conformational changes. The ability of glycine to displace the high-affinity radioligand [3H]CHIBA-3007 required Na+ and was potentiated over 1,000-fold by Cl- We generated GlyT1b mutants containing reactive cysteine residues in either the extracellular or cytoplasmic permeation pathways and measured changes in the reactivity of those cysteine residues as indicators of conformational changes in response to ions and substrate. Na+ increased accessibility in the extracellular pathway and decreased it in the cytoplasmic pathway, consistent with stabilizing an outward-open conformation as observed in other members of this transporter family. In the presence of Na+, both glycine and Cl- independently shifted the conformation of GlyT1b toward an outward-closed conformation. Together, Na+, glycine, and Cl- stabilized an inward-open conformation of GlyT1b. We then examined whether Cl- acts by interacting with a conserved glutamine to allow formation of an ion pair that stabilizes the closed state of the extracellular pathway. Molecular dynamics simulations of a GlyT1 homolog indicated that this ion pair is formed more frequently as that pathway closes. Mutation of the glutamine blocked the effect of Cl-, and substituting it with glutamate or lysine resulted in outward- or inward-facing transporter conformations, respectively. These results provide an unexpected insight into the role of Cl- in this family of transporters.
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9
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Okawa F, Hama Y, Zhang S, Morishita H, Yamamoto H, Levine TP, Mizushima N. Evolution and insights into the structure and function of the DedA superfamily containing TMEM41B and VMP1. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:237813. [PMID: 33771928 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.255877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
TMEM41B and VMP1 are endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localizing multi-spanning membrane proteins required for ER-related cellular processes such as autophagosome formation, lipid droplet homeostasis and lipoprotein secretion in eukaryotes. Both proteins have a VTT domain, which is similar to the DedA domain found in bacterial DedA family proteins. However, the molecular function and structure of the DedA and VTT domains (collectively referred to as DedA domains) and the evolutionary relationships among the DedA domain-containing proteins are largely unknown. Here, we conduct a remote homology search and identify a new clade consisting mainly of bacterial proteins of unknown function that are members of the Pfam family PF06695. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the TMEM41, VMP1, DedA and PF06695 families form a superfamily with a common origin, which we term the DedA superfamily. Coevolution-based structural prediction suggests that the DedA domain contains two reentrant loops facing each other in the membrane. This topology is biochemically verified by the substituted cysteine accessibility method. The predicted structure is topologically similar to that of the substrate-binding region of Na+-coupled glutamate transporter solute carrier 1 (SLC1) proteins. A potential ion-coupled transport function of the DedA superfamily proteins is discussed. This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiya Okawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yutaro Hama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Sidi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hideaki Morishita
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hayashi Yamamoto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tim P Levine
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Noboru Mizushima
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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10
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Fairweather SJ, Shah N, Brӧer S. Heteromeric Solute Carriers: Function, Structure, Pathology and Pharmacology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 21:13-127. [PMID: 33052588 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2020_584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Solute carriers form one of three major superfamilies of membrane transporters in humans, and include uniporters, exchangers and symporters. Following several decades of molecular characterisation, multiple solute carriers that form obligatory heteromers with unrelated subunits are emerging as a distinctive principle of membrane transporter assembly. Here we comprehensively review experimentally established heteromeric solute carriers: SLC3-SLC7 amino acid exchangers, SLC16 monocarboxylate/H+ symporters and basigin/embigin, SLC4A1 (AE1) and glycophorin A exchanger, SLC51 heteromer Ost α-Ost β uniporter, and SLC6 heteromeric symporters. The review covers the history of the heteromer discovery, transporter physiology, structure, disease associations and pharmacology - all with a focus on the heteromeric assembly. The cellular locations, requirements for complex formation, and the functional role of dimerization are extensively detailed, including analysis of the first complete heteromer structures, the SLC7-SLC3 family transporters LAT1-4F2hc, b0,+AT-rBAT and the SLC6 family heteromer B0AT1-ACE2. We present a systematic analysis of the structural and functional aspects of heteromeric solute carriers and conclude with common principles of their functional roles and structural architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Fairweather
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. .,Resarch School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
| | - Nishank Shah
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Stefan Brӧer
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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11
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The organosulfur compound dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is utilized as an osmoprotectant by Vibrio species. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:AEM.02235-20. [PMID: 33355097 PMCID: PMC8090876 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02235-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a key component of the global geochemical sulfur cycle, is a secondary metabolite produced in large quantities by marine phytoplankton and utilized as an osmoprotectant, thermoprotectant and antioxidant. Marine bacteria can use two pathways to degrade and catabolize DMSP, a demethylation pathway and a cleavage pathway that produces the climate active gas dimethylsulfide (DMS). Whether marine bacteria can also accumulate DMSP as an osmoprotectant to maintain the turgor pressure of the cell in response to changes in external osmolarity has received little attention. The marine halophile Vibrio parahaemolyticus, contains at least six osmolyte transporters, four betaine carnitine choline transport (BCCT) carriers BccT1-BccT4 and two ABC-family ProU transporters. In this study, we showed that DMSP is used as an osmoprotectant by V. parahaemolyticus and several other Vibrio species including V. cholerae and V. vulnificus Using a V. parahaemolyticus proU double mutant, we demonstrated that these ABC transporters are not required for DMSP uptake. However, a bccT null mutant lacking all four BCCTs had a growth defect compared to wild type in high salinity media supplemented with DMSP. Using mutants possessing only one functional BCCT in growth pattern assays, we identified two BCCT-family transporters, BccT1 and BccT2, which are carriers of DMSP. The only V. parahaemolyticus BccT homolog that V. cholerae and V. vulnificus possess is BccT3 and functional complementation in Escherichia coli MKH13 showed V. cholerae VcBccT3 could transport DMSP. In V. vulnificus strains, we identified and characterized an additional BCCT family transporter, which we named BccT5 that was also a carrier for DMSP.Importance DMSP is present in the marine environment, produced in large quantities by marine phytoplankton as an osmoprotectant, and is an important component of the global geochemical sulfur cycle. This algal osmolyte has not been previously investigated for its role in marine heterotrophic bacterial osmotic stress response. Vibrionaceae are marine species, many of which are halophiles exemplified by V. parahaemolyticus, a species that possesses at least six transporters for the uptake of osmolytes. Here, we demonstrated that V. parahaemolyticus and other Vibrio species can accumulate DMSP as an osmoprotectant and show that several BCCT family transporters uptake DMSP. These studies suggest that DMSP is a significant bacterial osmoprotectant, which may be important for understanding the fate of DMSP in the environment. DMSP is produced and present in coral mucus and Vibrio species form part of the microbial communities associated with them. The function of DMSP in these interactions is unclear, but could be an important driver for these associations allowing Vibrio proliferation. This work suggests that DMSP likely has an important role in heterotrophic bacteria ecology than previously appreciated.
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12
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Investigations of Dimethylglycine, Glycine Betaine, and Ectoine Uptake by a Betaine-Carnitine-Choline Transporter Family Transporter with Diverse Substrate Specificity in Vibrio Species. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:JB.00314-20. [PMID: 32817090 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00314-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluctuations in osmolarity are one of the most prevalent stresses to which bacteria must adapt, both hypo- and hyperosmotic conditions. Most bacteria cope with high osmolarity by accumulating compatible solutes (osmolytes) in the cytoplasm to maintain the turgor pressure of the cell. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a halophile, utilizes at least six compatible solute transporters for the uptake of osmolytes: two ABC family ProU transporters and four betaine-carnitine-choline transporter (BCCT) family transporters. The full range of compatible solutes transported by this species has yet to be determined. Using an osmolyte phenotypic microarray plate for growth analyses, we expanded the known osmolytes used by V. parahaemolyticus to include N,N-dimethylglycine (DMG), among others. Growth pattern analysis of four triple-bccT mutants, possessing only one functional BCCT, indicated that BccT1 (VP1456), BccT2 (VP1723), and BccT3 (VP1905) transported DMG. BccT1 was unusual in that it could take up both compounds with methylated head groups (glycine betaine [GB], choline, and DMG) and cyclic compounds (ectoine and proline). Bioinformatics analysis identified the four coordinating amino acid residues for GB in the BccT1 protein. In silico modeling analysis demonstrated that GB, DMG, and ectoine docked in the same binding pocket in BccT1. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we showed that a strain with all four residues mutated resulted in the loss of uptake of GB, DMG, and ectoine. We showed that three of the four residues were essential for ectoine uptake, whereas only one of the residues was important for GB uptake. Overall, we have demonstrated that DMG is a highly effective compatible solute for Vibrio species and have elucidated the amino acid residues in BccT1 that are important for the coordination of GB, DMG, and ectoine transport.IMPORTANCE Vibrio parahaemolyticus possesses at least six osmolyte transporters, which allow the bacterium to adapt to high-salinity conditions. In this study, we identified several additional osmolytes that were utilized by V. parahaemolyticus We demonstrated that the compound DMG, which is present in the marine environment, was a highly effective osmolyte for Vibrio species. We determined that DMG is transported via BCCT family carriers, which have not been shown previously to take up this compound. BccT1 was a carrier for GB, DMG, and ectoine, and we identified the amino acid residues essential for the coordination of these compounds. The data suggest that for BccT1, GB is more easily accommodated than ectoine in the transporter binding pocket.
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13
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Panta PR, Kumar S, Stafford CF, Billiot CE, Douglass MV, Herrera CM, Trent MS, Doerrler WT. A DedA Family Membrane Protein Is Required for Burkholderia thailandensis Colistin Resistance. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2532. [PMID: 31827463 PMCID: PMC6849406 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Colistin is a “last resort” antibiotic for treatment of infections caused by some multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Resistance to colistin varies between bacterial species. Some Gram-negative bacteria such as Burkholderia spp. are intrinsically resistant to very high levels of colistin with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) often above 0.5 mg/ml. We have previously shown DedA family proteins YqjA and YghB are conserved membrane transporters required for alkaline tolerance and resistance to several classes of dyes and antibiotics in Escherichia coli. Here, we show that a DedA family protein in Burkholderia thailandensis (DbcA; DedA of Burkholderia required for colistin resistance) is a membrane transporter required for resistance to colistin. Mutation of dbcA results in >100-fold greater sensitivity to colistin. Colistin resistance is often conferred via covalent modification of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) lipid A. Mass spectrometry of lipid A of ΔdbcA showed a sharp reduction of aminoarabinose in lipid A compared to wild type. Complementation of colistin sensitivity of B. thailandensis ΔdbcA was observed by expression of dbcA, E. coli yghB or E. coli yqjA. Many proton-dependent transporters possess charged amino acids in transmembrane domains that take part in the transport mechanism and are essential for function. Site directed mutagenesis of conserved and predicted membrane embedded charged amino acids suggest that DbcA functions as a proton-dependent transporter. Direct measurement of membrane potential shows that B. thailandensis ΔdbcA is partially depolarized suggesting that loss of protonmotive force can lead to alterations in LPS structure and severe colistin sensitivity in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradip R Panta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Sujeet Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Caroline F Stafford
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Caitlin E Billiot
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Martin V Douglass
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, United States.,Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Carmen M Herrera
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, United States.,Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, United States
| | - M Stephen Trent
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, United States.,Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, United States
| | - William T Doerrler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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14
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Hellsberg E, Ecker GF, Stary-Weinzinger A, Forrest LR. A structural model of the human serotonin transporter in an outward-occluded state. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217377. [PMID: 31251747 PMCID: PMC6599148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human serotonin transporter hSERT facilitates the reuptake of its endogenous substrate serotonin from the synaptic cleft into presynaptic neurons after signaling. Reuptake regulates the availability of this neurotransmitter and therefore hSERT plays an important role in balancing human mood conditions. In 2016, the first 3D structures of this membrane transporter were reported in an inhibitor-bound, outward-open conformation. These structures revealed valuable information about interactions of hSERT with antidepressant drugs. Nevertheless, the question remains how serotonin facilitates the specific conformational changes that open and close pathways from the synapse and to the cytoplasm as required for transport. Here, we present a serotonin-bound homology model of hSERT in an outward-occluded state, a key intermediate in the physiological cycle, in which the interactions with the substrate are likely to be optimal. Our approach uses two template structures and includes careful refinement and comprehensive computational validation. According to microsecond-long molecular dynamics simulations, this model exhibits interactions between the gating residues in the extracellular pathway, and these interactions differ from those in an outward-open conformation of hSERT bound to serotonin. Moreover, we predict several features of this state by monitoring the intracellular gating residues, the extent of hydration, and, most importantly, protein-ligand interactions in the central binding site. The results illustrate common and distinct characteristics of these two transporter states and provide a starting point for future investigations of the transport mechanism in hSERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hellsberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard F. Ecker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Lucy R. Forrest
- Computational Structural Biology Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Shoemaker CJ, Huang TQ, Weir NR, Polyakov NJ, Schultz SW, Denic V. CRISPR screening using an expanded toolkit of autophagy reporters identifies TMEM41B as a novel autophagy factor. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e2007044. [PMID: 30933966 PMCID: PMC6459555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2007044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The power of forward genetics in yeast is the foundation on which the field of autophagy research firmly stands. Complementary work on autophagy in higher eukaryotes has revealed both the deep conservation of this process, as well as novel mechanisms by which autophagy is regulated in the context of development, immunity, and neuronal homeostasis. The recent emergence of new clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-based technologies has begun facilitating efforts to define novel autophagy factors and pathways by forward genetic screening in mammalian cells. Here, we set out to develop an expanded toolkit of autophagy reporters amenable to CRISPR/Cas9 screening. Genome-wide screening of our reporters in mammalian cells recovered virtually all known autophagy-related (ATG) factors as well as previously uncharacterized factors, including vacuolar protein sorting 37 homolog A (VPS37A), transmembrane protein 251 (TMEM251), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2 (ALS2), and TMEM41B. To validate this data set, we used quantitative microscopy and biochemical analyses to show that 1 novel hit, TMEM41B, is required for phagophore maturation. TMEM41B is an integral endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein distantly related to the established autophagy factor vacuole membrane protein 1 (VMP1), and our data show that these two factors play related, albeit not fully overlapping, roles in autophagosome biogenesis. In sum, our work uncovers new ATG factors, reveals a malleable network of autophagy receptor genetic interactions, and provides a valuable resource (http://crispr.deniclab.com) for further mining of novel autophagy mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Shoemaker
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Northwest Labs, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tina Q. Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Northwest Labs, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nicholas R. Weir
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Northwest Labs, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nicole J. Polyakov
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Northwest Labs, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sebastian W. Schultz
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vladimir Denic
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Northwest Labs, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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16
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Abstract
Transport of solutes across biological membranes is essential for cellular life. This process is mediated by membrane transport proteins which move nutrients, waste products, certain drugs and ions into and out of cells. Secondary active transporters couple the transport of substrates against their concentration gradients with the transport of other solutes down their concentration gradients. The alternating access model of membrane transporters and the coupling mechanism of secondary active transporters are introduced in this book chapter. Structural studies have identified typical protein folds for transporters that we exemplify by the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) and LeuT folds. Finally, substrate binding and substrate translocation of the transporters LacY of the MFS and AdiC of the amino acid-polyamine-organocation (APC) superfamily are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Bosshart
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dimitrios Fotiadis
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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17
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Mychack A, Amrutha RN, Chung C, Cardenas Arevalo K, Reddy M, Janakiraman A. A synergistic role for two predicted inner membrane proteins of Escherichia coli in cell envelope integrity. Mol Microbiol 2018; 111:317-337. [PMID: 30368949 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial cytoplasmic membrane is a principal site of protein translocation, lipid and peptidoglycan biogenesis, signal transduction, transporters and energy generating components of the respiratory chain. Although 25-30% of bacterial proteomes consist of membrane proteins, a comprehensive understanding of their influence on fundamental cellular processes is incomplete. Here, we show that YciB and DcrB, two small cytoplasmic membrane proteins of previously unknown functions, play an essential synergistic role in maintaining cell envelope integrity of Escherichia coli. Lack of both YciB and DcrB results in pleiotropic cell defects including increased levels of lipopolysaccharide, membrane vesiculation, dynamic shrinking and extension of the cytoplasmic membrane accompanied by lysis and cell death. The stalling of an abundant outer membrane lipoprotein, Lpp, at the periplasmic face of the inner membrane leads to lethal inner membrane-peptidoglycan linkages. Additionally, the periplasmic chaperone Skp contributes to yciB dcrB mutant cell death by possibly mistargeting stalled porins into the inner membrane. Consistent with the idea of a compromised envelope in the yciB dcrB mutant, multiple envelope stress response systems are induced, with Cpx signal transduction being required for growth. Taken together, our results suggest a fundamental role for YciB and DcrB in cell envelope biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Mychack
- Department of Biology, The City College of CUNY, New York, NY, 10031, USA.,Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, CUNY, Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - R N Amrutha
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Charlie Chung
- Department of Biology, The City College of CUNY, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | | | - Manjula Reddy
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Anuradha Janakiraman
- Department of Biology, The City College of CUNY, New York, NY, 10031, USA.,Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, CUNY, Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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18
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Structural elements required for coupling ion and substrate transport in the neurotransmitter transporter homolog LeuT. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E8854-E8862. [PMID: 30181291 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1716870115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The coupled transport of ions and substrates allows transporters to accumulate substrates using the energy of transmembrane ion gradients and electrical potentials. During transport, conformational changes that switch accessibility of substrate and ion binding sites from one side of the membrane to the other must be controlled so as to prevent uncoupled movement of ions or substrates. In the neurotransmitter:sodium symporter (NSS) family, Na+ stabilizes the transporter in an outward-open state, thus decreasing the likelihood of uncoupled Na+ transport. Substrate binding, in a step essential for coupled transport, must overcome the effect of Na+, allowing intracellular substrate and Na+ release from an inward-open state. However, the specific elements of the protein that mediate this conformational response to substrate binding are unknown. Previously, we showed that in the prokaryotic NSS transporter LeuT, the effect of Na+ on conformation requires the Na2 site, where it influences conformation by fostering interaction between two domains of the protein. Here, we used cysteine accessibility to measure conformational changes of LeuT in Escherichia coli membranes. We identified a conserved tyrosine residue in the substrate binding site required for substrate to convert LeuT to inward-open states by establishing an interaction between the two transporter domains. We further identify additional required interactions between the two transporter domains in the extracellular pathway. Together with our previous work on the conformational effect of Na+, these results identify mechanistic components underlying ion-substrate coupling in NSS transporters.
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19
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Morita K, Hama Y, Izume T, Tamura N, Ueno T, Yamashita Y, Sakamaki Y, Mimura K, Morishita H, Shihoya W, Nureki O, Mano H, Mizushima N. Genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies TMEM41B as a gene required for autophagosome formation. J Cell Biol 2018; 217:3817-3828. [PMID: 30093494 PMCID: PMC6219718 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201804132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy is an intracellular degradation process that requires multiple autophagy-related (ATG) genes. In this study, we performed a genome-wide screen using the autophagic flux reporter GFP-LC3-RFP and identified TMEM41B as a novel ATG gene. TMEM41B is a multispanning membrane protein localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It has a conserved domain also found in vacuole membrane protein 1 (VMP1), another ER multispanning membrane protein essential for autophagy, yeast Tvp38, and the bacterial DedA family of putative half-transporters. Deletion of TMEM41B blocked the formation of autophagosomes at an early step, causing accumulation of ATG proteins and small vesicles but not elongating autophagosome-like structures. Furthermore, lipid droplets accumulated in TMEM41B-knockout (KO) cells. The phenotype of TMEM41B-KO cells resembled those of VMP1-KO cells. Indeed, TMEM41B and VMP1 formed a complex in vivo and in vitro, and overexpression of VMP1 restored autophagic flux in TMEM41B-KO cells. These results suggest that TMEM41B and VMP1 function together at an early step of autophagosome formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keigo Morita
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaro Hama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tamaki Izume
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norito Tamura
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihide Ueno
- Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yamashita
- Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuriko Sakamaki
- Research Core, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaito Mimura
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Morishita
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wataru Shihoya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Nureki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mano
- Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noboru Mizushima
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Singh N, Ecker GF. Insights into the Structure, Function, and Ligand Discovery of the Large Neutral Amino Acid Transporter 1, LAT1. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1278. [PMID: 29695141 PMCID: PMC5983779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The large neutral amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1, or SLC7A5) is a sodium- and pH-independent transporter, which supplies essential amino acids (e.g., leucine, phenylalanine) to cells. It plays an important role at the Blood⁻Brain Barrier (BBB) where it facilitates the transport of thyroid hormones, pharmaceuticals (e.g., l-DOPA, gabapentin), and metabolites into the brain. Moreover, its expression is highly upregulated in various types of human cancer that are characterized by an intense demand for amino acids for growth and proliferation. Therefore, LAT1 is believed to be an important drug target for cancer treatment. With the crystallization of the arginine/agmatine antiporter (AdiC) from Escherichia Coli, numerous homology models of LAT1 have been built to elucidate the substrate binding site, ligand⁻transporter interaction, and structure⁻function relationship. The use of these models in combination with molecular docking and experimental testing has identified novel chemotypes of ligands of LAT1. Here, we highlight the structure, function, transport mechanism, and homology modeling of LAT1. Additionally, results from structure⁻function studies performed on LAT1 are addressed, which have enhanced our knowledge of the mechanism of substrate binding and translocation. This is followed by a discussion on ligand- and structure-based approaches, with an emphasis on elucidating the molecular basis of LAT1 inhibition. Finally, we provide an exhaustive summary of different LAT1 inhibitors that have been identified so far, including the recently discovered irreversible covalent inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natesh Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria.
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria.
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21
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Sandhu P, Akhter Y. Evolution of structural fitness and multifunctional aspects of mycobacterial RND family transporters. Arch Microbiol 2017; 200:19-31. [PMID: 28951954 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-017-1434-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major concern due to the evolution and emergence of pathogenic bacterial strains with novel strategies to resist the antibiotics in use. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of such pathogens with reported strains, which are not treatable with any of the available anti-TB drugs. This scenario has led to the need to look for some novel drug targets in Mtb, which may be exploited to design effective treatment strategies against the infection. The goal of this review is to discuss one such class of emerging drug targets in Mtb. MmpL (mycobacterial membrane protein large) proteins from Mtb are reported to be involved in multi-substrate transport including drug efflux and considered as one of the contributing factors for the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. MmpL proteins belong to resistance nodulation division permeases superfamily of membrane transporters, which are viably and pathogenetically important and their inhibition could be lethal for the bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmani Sandhu
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shahpur District, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, 176206, India
| | - Yusuf Akhter
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shahpur District, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, 176206, India.
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22
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Kumar S, Tiwari V, Doerrler WT. Cpx-dependent expression of YqjA requires cations at elevated pH. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2017; 364:3861960. [PMID: 28591809 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnx115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Under alkaline pH conditions, Escherichia coli must maintain a stable cytoplasmic pH of about 7.6 that is acidic relative to the environment. Bacteria employ various mechanisms to survive alkaline pH; however, membrane cation/H+ antiporters play a primary role by facilitating inward transport of protons. Escherichia coli YqjA belongs to the DedA/Tvp38 membrane protein family and, along with its paralog YghB, is required for growth at 42°C, proper cell division and antibiotic resistance. YqjA is required for viability at alkaline pH, requiring cations sodium or potassium to support growth under these conditions, suggesting it may be a transporter. We measured yqjA expression at different pHs and cation concentrations using a yqjA promoter-lacZ fusion. We found that yqjA promoter activity was highest at alkaline pH. Increased activity of the yqjA promoter required both the transcriptional regulator CpxR, in agreement with previous results, and sodium or potassium salts at alkaline pH. Extracellular cations are also required for activity of cpxP and degP promoters at alkaline pH, suggesting this is a general property of the Cpx regulon. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of cation-dependent expression of Cpx-regulated genes at alkaline pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujeet Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Vijay Tiwari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - William T Doerrler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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23
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Lara P, Öjemalm K, Reithinger J, Holgado A, Maojun Y, Hammed A, Mattle D, Kim H, Nilsson I. Refined topology model of the STT3/Stt3 protein subunit of the oligosaccharyltransferase complex. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:11349-11360. [PMID: 28512128 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.779421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The oligosaccharyltransferase complex, localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of eukaryotic cells, is responsible for the N-linked glycosylation of numerous protein substrates. The membrane protein STT3 is a highly conserved part of the oligosaccharyltransferase and likely contains the active site of the complex. However, understanding the catalytic determinants of this system has been challenging, in part because of a discrepancy in the structural topology of the bacterial versus eukaryotic proteins and incomplete information about the mechanism of membrane integration. Here, we use a glycosylation mapping approach to investigate these questions. We measured the membrane integration efficiency of the mouse STT3-A and yeast Stt3p transmembrane domains (TMDs) and report a refined topology of the N-terminal half of the mouse STT3-A. Our results show that most of the STT3 TMDs are well inserted into the ER membrane on their own or in the presence of the natural flanking residues. However, for the mouse STT3-A hydrophobic domains 4 and 6 and yeast Stt3p domains 2, 3a, 3c, and 6 we measured reduced insertion efficiency into the ER membrane. Furthermore, we mapped the first half of the STT3-A protein, finding two extra hydrophobic domains between the third and the fourth TMD. This result indicates that the eukaryotic STT3 has 13 transmembrane domains, consistent with the structure of the bacterial homolog of STT3 and setting the stage for future combined efforts to interrogate this fascinating system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Lara
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden and
| | - Karin Öjemalm
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden and
| | - Johannes Reithinger
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden and
| | - Aurora Holgado
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden and
| | - You Maojun
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden and
| | - Abdessalem Hammed
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden and
| | - Daniel Mattle
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden and
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - IngMarie Nilsson
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden and
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24
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Macdonald CB, Stockbridge RB. A topologically diverse family of fluoride channels. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2017; 45:142-149. [PMID: 28514705 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Dual-topology proteins are likely evolutionary antecedents to a common motif in membrane protein structures, the inverted repeat. A family of fluoride channels, the Flucs, which protect microorganisms, fungi, and plants against cytoplasmic fluoride accumulation, has representatives of all topologies along this evolutionary trajectory, including dual-topology homodimers, antiparallel heterodimers, and, in eukaryotes, fused two-domain proteins with an inverted repeat motif. Recent high-resolution crystal structures of dual-topology homodimers, coupled with extensive functional information about both the homodimers and two-domain Flucs, provide a case study of the co-evolution of fold and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian B Macdonald
- Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Randy B Stockbridge
- Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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25
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Novel insights into the transport mechanism of the human amino acid transporter LAT1 (SLC7A5). Probing critical residues for substrate translocation. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:727-736. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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26
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Abstract
Comparative protein structure modeling predicts the three-dimensional structure of a given protein sequence (target) based primarily on its alignment to one or more proteins of known structure (templates). The prediction process consists of fold assignment, target-template alignment, model building, and model evaluation. This unit describes how to calculate comparative models using the program MODELLER and how to use the ModBase database of such models, and discusses all four steps of comparative modeling, frequently observed errors, and some applications. Modeling lactate dehydrogenase from Trichomonas vaginalis (TvLDH) is described as an example. The download and installation of the MODELLER software is also described. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Webb
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Andrej Sali
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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27
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Webb B, Sali A. Comparative Protein Structure Modeling Using MODELLER. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2016; 54:5.6.1-5.6.37. [PMID: 27322406 PMCID: PMC5031415 DOI: 10.1002/cpbi.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1865] [Impact Index Per Article: 233.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Comparative protein structure modeling predicts the three-dimensional structure of a given protein sequence (target) based primarily on its alignment to one or more proteins of known structure (templates). The prediction process consists of fold assignment, target-template alignment, model building, and model evaluation. This unit describes how to calculate comparative models using the program MODELLER and how to use the ModBase database of such models, and discusses all four steps of comparative modeling, frequently observed errors, and some applications. Modeling lactate dehydrogenase from Trichomonas vaginalis (TvLDH) is described as an example. The download and installation of the MODELLER software is also described. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Webb
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Andrej Sali
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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28
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Kumar S, Bradley CL, Mukashyaka P, Doerrler WT. Identification of essential arginine residues ofEscherichia coliDedA/Tvp38 family membrane proteins YqjA and YghB. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2016; 363:fnw133. [DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnw133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Li F, Liu J, Liu N, Kuhn LA, Garavito RM, Ferguson-Miller S. Translocator Protein 18 kDa (TSPO): An Old Protein with New Functions? Biochemistry 2016; 55:2821-31. [PMID: 27074410 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) was previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) in eukaryotes, where it is mainly localized to the mitochondrial outer membrane. Considerable evidence indicates that it plays regulatory roles in steroidogenesis and apoptosis and is involved in various human diseases, such as metastatic cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, inflammation, and anxiety disorders. Ligands of TSPO are widely used as diagnostic tools and treatment options, despite there being no clear understanding of the function of TSPO. An ortholog in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter was independently discovered as the tryptophan-rich sensory protein (TspO) and found to play a role in the response to changes in oxygen and light conditions that regulate photosynthesis and respiration. As part of this highly conserved protein family found in all three kingdoms, the rat TSPO is able to rescue the knockout phenotype in Rhodobacter, indicating functional as well as structural conservation. Recently, a major breakthrough in the field was achieved: the determination of atomic-resolution structures of TSPO from different species by several independent groups. This now allows us to reexamine the function of TSPO with a molecular perspective. In this review, we focus on recently determined structures of TSPO and their implications for potential functions of this ubiquitous multifaceted protein. We suggest that TSPO is an ancient bacterial receptor/stress sensor that has developed additional interactions, partners, and roles in its mitochondrial outer membrane environment in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States.,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1319, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1319, United States
| | - Leslie A Kuhn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States.,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1319, United States
| | - R Michael Garavito
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Shelagh Ferguson-Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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30
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LeVine MV, Cuendet MA, Khelashvili G, Weinstein H. Allosteric Mechanisms of Molecular Machines at the Membrane: Transport by Sodium-Coupled Symporters. Chem Rev 2016; 116:6552-87. [PMID: 26892914 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Solute transport across cell membranes is ubiquitous in biology as an essential physiological process. Secondary active transporters couple the unfavorable process of solute transport against its concentration gradient to the energetically favorable transport of one or several ions. The study of such transporters over several decades indicates that their function involves complex allosteric mechanisms that are progressively being revealed in atomistic detail. We focus on two well-characterized sodium-coupled symporters: the bacterial amino acid transporter LeuT, which is the prototype for the "gated pore" mechanism in the mammalian synaptic monoamine transporters, and the archaeal GltPh, which is the prototype for the "elevator" mechanism in the mammalian excitatory amino acid transporters. We present the evidence for the role of allostery in the context of a quantitative formalism that can reconcile biochemical and biophysical data and thereby connects directly to recent insights into the molecular structure and dynamics of these proteins. We demonstrate that, while the structures and mechanisms of these transporters are very different, the available data suggest a common role of specific models of allostery in their functions. We argue that such allosteric mechanisms appear essential not only for sodium-coupled symport in general but also for the function of other types of molecular machines in the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael V LeVine
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, ‡HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University , New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Michel A Cuendet
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, ‡HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University , New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - George Khelashvili
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, ‡HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University , New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Harel Weinstein
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, ‡HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University , New York, New York 10065, United States
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A role for diatom-like silicon transporters in calcifying coccolithophores. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10543. [PMID: 26842659 PMCID: PMC4742977 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomineralization by marine phytoplankton, such as the silicifying diatoms and calcifying coccolithophores, plays an important role in carbon and nutrient cycling in the oceans. Silicification and calcification are distinct cellular processes with no known common mechanisms. It is thought that coccolithophores are able to outcompete diatoms in Si-depleted waters, which can contribute to the formation of coccolithophore blooms. Here we show that an expanded family of diatom-like silicon transporters (SITs) are present in both silicifying and calcifying haptophyte phytoplankton, including some globally important coccolithophores. Si is required for calcification in these coccolithophores, indicating that Si uptake contributes to the very different forms of biomineralization in diatoms and coccolithophores. Significantly, SITs and the requirement for Si are absent from highly abundant bloom-forming coccolithophores, such as Emiliania huxleyi. These very different requirements for Si in coccolithophores are likely to have major influence on their competitive interactions with diatoms and other siliceous phytoplankton.
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32
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Atsmon-Raz Y, Miller Y. Non-Amyloid-β Component of Human α-Synuclein Oligomers Induces Formation of New Aβ Oligomers: Insight into the Mechanisms That Link Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases. ACS Chem Neurosci 2016; 7:46-55. [PMID: 26479553 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the formation of Lewy bodies (LBs), of which their major component is the non-amyloid-β component (NAC) of α-synuclein (AS). Clinical studies have identified a link between PD and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the question of why PD patients are at risk to develop various types of dementia, such as AD, is still elusive. In vivo studies have shown that Aβ can act as a seed for NAC/AS aggregation, promoting NAC/AS aggregation and thus contributing to the etiology of PD. However, the mechanisms by which NAC/AS oligomers interact with Aβ oligomers are still elusive. This work presents the interactions between NAC oligomers and Aβ oligomers at atomic resolution by applying extensive molecular dynamics simulations for an ensemble of cross-seeded NAC-Aβ(1-42) oligomers. The main conclusions of this study are as follows: first, the cross-seeded NAC-Aβ(1-42) oligomers represent polymorphic states, yet NAC oligomers prefer to interact with Aβ(1-42) oligomers to form double-layer over single-layer conformations due to electrostatic/hydrophobic interactions; second, among the single-layer conformations, the NAC oligomers induce formation of new β-strands in Aβ(1-42) oligomers, thus leading to new Aβ oligomer structures; and third, NAC oligomers stabilize the cross-β structure of Aβ oligomers, i.e., yielding compact Aβ fibril-like structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoav Atsmon-Raz
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale
Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Yifat Miller
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale
Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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33
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Abstract
Symmetry is a common feature among natural systems, including protein structures. A strong propensity toward symmetric architectures has long been recognized for water-soluble proteins, and this propensity has been rationalized from an evolutionary standpoint. Proteins residing in cellular membranes, however, have traditionally been less amenable to structural studies, and thus the prevalence and significance of symmetry in this important class of molecules is not as well understood. In the past two decades, researchers have made great strides in this area, and these advances have provided exciting insights into the range of architectures adopted by membrane proteins. These structural studies have revealed a similarly strong bias toward symmetric arrangements, which were often unexpected and which occurred despite the restrictions imposed by the membrane environment on the possible symmetry groups. Moreover, membrane proteins disproportionately contain internal structural repeats resulting from duplication and fusion of smaller segments. This article discusses the types and origins of symmetry in membrane proteins and the implications of symmetry for protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy R Forrest
- Computational Structural Biology Group, Porter Neuroscience Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20852;
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34
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Bracher S, Guérin K, Polyhach Y, Jeschke G, Dittmer S, Frey S, Böhm M, Jung H. Glu-311 in External Loop 4 of the Sodium/Proline Transporter PutP Is Crucial for External Gate Closure. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:4998-5008. [PMID: 26728461 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.675306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The available structural information on LeuT and structurally related transporters suggests that external loop 4 (eL4) and the outer end of transmembrane domain (TM) 10' participate in the reversible occlusion of the outer pathway to the solute binding sites. Here, the functional significance of eL4 and the outer region of TM10' are explored using the sodium/proline symporter PutP as a model. Glu-311 at the tip of eL4, and various amino acids around the outer end of TM10' are identified as particularly crucial for function. Substitutions at these sites inhibit the transport cycle, and affect in part ligand binding. In addition, changes at selected sites induce a global structural alteration in the direction of an outward-open conformation. It is suggested that interactions between the tip of eL4 and the peptide backbone at the end of TM10' participate in coordinating conformational alterations underlying the alternating access mechanism of transport. Together with the structural information on LeuT-like transporters, the results further specify the idea that common design and functional principles are maintained across different transport families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Bracher
- From the Department of Biology 1, Division of Microbiology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Grosshaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152 Martinsried, Germany and
| | - Kamila Guérin
- the ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yevhen Polyhach
- the ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gunnar Jeschke
- the ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Dittmer
- From the Department of Biology 1, Division of Microbiology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Grosshaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152 Martinsried, Germany and
| | - Sabine Frey
- From the Department of Biology 1, Division of Microbiology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Grosshaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152 Martinsried, Germany and
| | - Maret Böhm
- From the Department of Biology 1, Division of Microbiology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Grosshaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152 Martinsried, Germany and
| | - Heinrich Jung
- From the Department of Biology 1, Division of Microbiology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Grosshaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152 Martinsried, Germany and
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35
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Tavoulari S, Margheritis E, Nagarajan A, DeWitt DC, Zhang YW, Rosado E, Ravera S, Rhoades E, Forrest LR, Rudnick G. Two Na+ Sites Control Conformational Change in a Neurotransmitter Transporter Homolog. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:1456-71. [PMID: 26582198 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.692012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In LeuT, a prokaryotic homolog of neurotransmitter transporters, Na(+) stabilizes outward-open conformational states. We examined how each of the two LeuT Na(+) binding sites contributes to Na(+)-dependent closure of the cytoplasmic pathway using biochemical and biophysical assays of conformation. Mutating either of two residues that contribute to the Na2 site completely prevented cytoplasmic closure in response to Na(+), suggesting that Na2 is essential for this conformational change, whereas Na1 mutants retained Na(+) responsiveness. However, mutation of Na1 residues also influenced the Na(+)-dependent conformational change in ways that varied depending on the position mutated. Computational analyses suggest those mutants influence the ability of Na1 binding to hydrate the substrate pathway and perturb an interaction network leading to the extracellular gate. Overall, the results demonstrate that occupation of Na2 stabilizes outward-facing conformations presumably through a direct interaction between Na(+) and transmembrane helices 1 and 8, whereas Na(+) binding at Na1 influences conformational change through a network of intermediary interactions. The results also provide evidence that N-terminal release and helix motions represent distinct steps in cytoplasmic pathway opening.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anu Nagarajan
- the Computational Structural Biology Section, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - David C DeWitt
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520 and
| | | | | | | | - Elizabeth Rhoades
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520 and
| | - Lucy R Forrest
- the Computational Structural Biology Section, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
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Andersen J, Ladefoged LK, Wang D, Kristensen TNB, Bang-Andersen B, Kristensen AS, Schiøtt B, Strømgaard K. Binding of the multimodal antidepressant drug vortioxetine to the human serotonin transporter. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:1892-900. [PMID: 26389667 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective inhibitors of the human serotonin transporter (hSERT) have been first-line treatment against depression for several decades. Recently, vortioxetine was approved as a new therapeutic option for the treatment of depression. Vortioxetine represents a new class of antidepressant drugs with a multimodal pharmacological profile that in addition to potent inhibition of hSERT include agonistic or antagonistic effects at different serotonin receptors. We used a combination of computational, chemical, and biological methods to decipher the molecular basis for high affinity binding of vortioxetine in hSERT. X-ray crystal structures of the bacterial amino acid transporter LeuT and the Drosophila melanogaster dopamine transporter were used to build homology models of hSERT. Comparative modeling and ligand docking suggest that vortioxetine can adopt several distinct binding modes within the central binding site of hSERT. To distinguish between the identified binding modes, we determined the effect of 57 functional hSERT point mutants on vortioxetine potency and characterized seven structurally related analogs of vortioxetine in a subset of the point mutants. This allowed us to determine the orientation of vortioxetine within the central binding site and showed that only one of the proposed binding modes is functionally relevant. The findings provide important new insight about the molecular basis for high affinity recognition of vortioxetine in hSERT, which is essential for future structure-based drug discovery of novel multimodal drugs with fine-tuned selectivity across different transporter and receptor proteins in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lucy Kate Ladefoged
- Center for Insoluble Protein Structures (inSPIN) and Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade
140, DK-8000 Aarhus
C, Denmark
| | - Danyang Wang
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trine N. Bjerre Kristensen
- Center for Insoluble Protein Structures (inSPIN) and Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade
140, DK-8000 Aarhus
C, Denmark
| | - Benny Bang-Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Lundbeck Research Denmark, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, DK-2500 Valby, Denmark
| | - Anders S. Kristensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgit Schiøtt
- Center for Insoluble Protein Structures (inSPIN) and Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade
140, DK-8000 Aarhus
C, Denmark
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Escherichia coli YqjA, a Member of the Conserved DedA/Tvp38 Membrane Protein Family, Is a Putative Osmosensing Transporter Required for Growth at Alkaline pH. J Bacteriol 2015; 197:2292-300. [PMID: 25917916 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00175-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The ability to persist and grow under alkaline conditions is an important characteristic of many bacteria. In order to survive at alkaline pH, Escherichia coli must maintain a stable cytoplasmic pH of about 7.6. Membrane cation/proton antiporters play a major role in alkaline pH homeostasis by catalyzing active inward proton transport. The DedA/Tvp38 family is a highly conserved membrane protein family of unknown function present in most sequenced genomes. YqjA and YghB are members of the E. coli DedA family with 62% amino acid identity and partially redundant functions. We have shown that E. coli with ΔyqjA and ΔyghB mutations cannot properly maintain the proton motive force (PMF) and is compromised in PMF-dependent drug efflux and other PMF-dependent functions. Furthermore, the functions of YqjA and YghB are dependent upon membrane-embedded acidic amino acids, a hallmark of several families of proton-dependent transporters. Here, we show that the ΔyqjA mutant (but not ΔyghB) cannot grow under alkaline conditions (ranging from pH 8.5 to 9.5), unlike the parent E. coli. Overexpression of yqjA restores growth at alkaline pH, but only when more than ∼100 mM sodium or potassium is present in the growth medium. Increasing the osmotic pressure by the addition of sucrose enhances the ability of YqjA to support growth under alkaline conditions in the presence of low salt concentrations, consistent with YqjA functioning as an osmosensor. We suggest that YqjA possesses proton-dependent transport activity that is stimulated by osmolarity and that it plays a significant role in the survival of E. coli at alkaline pH. IMPORTANCE The ability to survive under alkaline conditions is important for many species of bacteria. Escherichia coli can grow at pH 5.5 to 9.5 while maintaining a constant cytoplasmic pH of about 7.6. Under alkaline conditions, bacteria rely upon proton-dependent transporters to maintain a constant cytoplasmic pH. The DedA/Tvp38 protein family is a highly conserved but poorly characterized family of membrane proteins. Here, we show that the DedA/Tvp38 protein YqjA is critical for E. coli to survive at pH 8.5 to 9.5. YqjA requires sodium and potassium for this function. At low cation concentrations, osmolytes, including sucrose, can facilitate rescue of E. coli growth by YqjA at high pH. These data are consistent with YqjA functioning as an osmosensing cation-dependent proton transporter.
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Jaehme M, Guskov A, Slotboom DJ. The twisted relation between Pnu and SWEET transporters. Trends Biochem Sci 2015; 40:183-8. [PMID: 25757400 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The evolutionary relation between sugar and vitamin transporters from the SWEET and Pnu families is unclear. They have similar 3D structures, but differ in the topology of their secondary structure elements, and lack significant sequence similarity. Here we analyze the structures and sequences of different members of the SWEET and Pnu transporter families and propose an evolutionary pathway by which they may have diverged from a common ancestor. A 3D domain swapping event can explain the topological differences between the families, as well as the puzzling observation that a highly conserved and essential sequence motif of the SWEET family (the PQ loop) is absent from the Pnu transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jaehme
- University of Groningen, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Guskov
- University of Groningen, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Jan Slotboom
- University of Groningen, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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39
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Keller R, Schleppi N, Weikum J, Schneider D. Mutational analyses of YqjA, a Tvp38/DedA protein ofE. coli. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:842-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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40
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Fenollar-Ferrer C, Patti M, Knöpfel T, Werner A, Forster IC, Forrest LR. Structural fold and binding sites of the human Na⁺-phosphate cotransporter NaPi-II. Biophys J 2014; 106:1268-79. [PMID: 24655502 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Revised: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphate plays essential biological roles and its plasma level in humans requires tight control to avoid bone loss (insufficiency) or vascular calcification (excess). Intestinal absorption and renal reabsorption of phosphate are mediated by members of the SLC34 family of sodium-coupled transporters (NaPi-IIa,b,c) whose membrane expression is regulated by various hormones, circulating proteins, and phosphate itself. Consequently, NaPi-II proteins are also potentially important pharmaceutical targets for controlling phosphate levels. Their crucial role in Pi homeostasis is underscored by pathologies resulting from naturally occurring SLC34 mutations and SLC34 knockout animals. SLC34 isoforms have been extensively studied with respect to transport mechanism and structure-function relationships; however, the three-dimensional structure is unknown. All SLC34 transporters share a duplicated motif comprising a glutamine followed by a stretch of threonine or serine residues, suggesting the presence of structural repeats as found in other transporter families. Nevertheless, standard bioinformatic approaches fail to clearly identify a suitable template for molecular modeling. Here, we used hydrophobicity profiles and hidden Markov models to define a structural repeat common to all SLC34 isoforms. Similar approaches identify a relationship with the core regions in a crystal structure of Vibrio cholerae Na(+)-dicarboxylate transporter VcINDY, from which we generated a homology model of human NaPi-IIa. The aforementioned SLC34 motifs in each repeat localize to the center of the model, and were predicted to form Na(+) and Pi coordination sites. Functional relevance of key amino acids was confirmed by biochemical and electrophysiological analysis of expressed, mutated transporters. Moreover, the validity of the predicted architecture is corroborated by extensive published structure-function studies. The model provides key information for elucidating the transport mechanism and predicts candidate substrate binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Fenollar-Ferrer
- Computational Structural Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Monica Patti
- Institute of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Knöpfel
- Institute of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Werner
- Epithelial Research Group, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Ian C Forster
- Institute of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Lucy R Forrest
- Computational Structural Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Abstract
Functional characterization of a protein sequence is one of the most frequent problems in biology. This task is usually facilitated by accurate three-dimensional (3-D) structure of the studied protein. In the absence of an experimentally determined structure, comparative or homology modeling can sometimes provide a useful 3-D model for a protein that is related to at least one known protein structure. Comparative modeling predicts the 3-D structure of a given protein sequence (target) based primarily on its alignment to one or more proteins of known structure (templates). The prediction process consists of fold assignment, target-template alignment, model building, and model evaluation. This unit describes how to calculate comparative models using the program MODELLER and discusses all four steps of comparative modeling, frequently observed errors, and some applications. Modeling lactate dehydrogenase from Trichomonas vaginalis (TvLDH) is described as an example. The download and installation of the MODELLER software is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Webb
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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42
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Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Polticelli F, Cece G, Cutone A, Felici F, Persichini T, Musci G. A structural model of human ferroportin and of its iron binding site. FEBS J 2014; 281:2851-60. [PMID: 24767627 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A structural model of human ferroportin has been built using two Escherichia coli proteins belonging to the major facilitator superfamily of transporters. A potential iron binding site was identified in the inward-open conformation of the model, and its relevance was tested through measurement of iron export of HEK293T cells expressing wild-type or mutated ferroportin. Aspartates 39 and 181 were found to be essential for the transport ability of the protein. Noteworthy, the D181V mutation is naturally found in type 4 hemochromatosis with reticuloendothelial system iron retention phenotype. The outward-open conformation of ferroportin was also predicted, and showed that significant conformational changes must occur in the inward- to outward-open transition of ferroportin. In particular, putative iron ligands move several ångströms away from each other, leading to the logical conclusion that the iron binding site is not occupied by the metal in the outward-open conformation of ferroportin.
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43
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Schlessinger A, Khuri N, Giacomini KM, Sali A. Molecular modeling and ligand docking for solute carrier (SLC) transporters. Curr Top Med Chem 2014; 13:843-56. [PMID: 23578028 DOI: 10.2174/1568026611313070007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Solute Carrier (SLC) transporters are membrane proteins that transport solutes, such as ions, metabolites, peptides, and drugs, across biological membranes, using diverse energy coupling mechanisms. In human, there are 386 SLC transporters, many of which contribute to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs and/or can be targeted directly by therapeutics. Recent atomic structures of SLC transporters determined by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy have significantly expanded the applicability of structure-based prediction of SLC transporter ligands, by enabling both comparative modeling of additional SLC transporters and virtual screening of small molecules libraries against experimental structures as well as comparative models. In this review, we begin by describing computational tools, including sequence analysis, comparative modeling, and virtual screening, that are used to predict the structures and functions of membrane proteins such as SLC transporters. We then illustrate the applications of these tools to predicting ligand specificities of select SLC transporters, followed by experimental validation using uptake kinetic measurements and other assays. We conclude by discussing future directions in the discovery of the SLC transporter ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 1700 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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44
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Stamm M, Staritzbichler R, Khafizov K, Forrest LR. AlignMe--a membrane protein sequence alignment web server. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:W246-51. [PMID: 24753425 PMCID: PMC4086118 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a web server for pair-wise alignment of membrane protein sequences, using the program AlignMe. The server makes available two operational modes of AlignMe: (i) sequence to sequence alignment, taking two sequences in fasta format as input, combining information about each sequence from multiple sources and producing a pair-wise alignment (PW mode); and (ii) alignment of two multiple sequence alignments to create family-averaged hydropathy profile alignments (HP mode). For the PW sequence alignment mode, four different optimized parameter sets are provided, each suited to pairs of sequences with a specific similarity level. These settings utilize different types of inputs: (position-specific) substitution matrices, secondary structure predictions and transmembrane propensities from transmembrane predictions or hydrophobicity scales. In the second (HP) mode, each input multiple sequence alignment is converted into a hydrophobicity profile averaged over the provided set of sequence homologs; the two profiles are then aligned. The HP mode enables qualitative comparison of transmembrane topologies (and therefore potentially of 3D folds) of two membrane proteins, which can be useful if the proteins have low sequence similarity. In summary, the AlignMe web server provides user-friendly access to a set of tools for analysis and comparison of membrane protein sequences. Access is available at http://www.bioinfo.mpg.de/AlignMe
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Stamm
- Computational Structural Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - René Staritzbichler
- Computational Structural Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Kamil Khafizov
- Computational Structural Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Lucy R Forrest
- Computational Structural Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
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Grünbacher A, Throm T, Seidel C, Gutt B, Röhrig J, Strunk T, Vincze P, Walheim S, Schimmel T, Wenzel W, Fischer R. Six hydrophobins are involved in hydrophobin rodlet formation in Aspergillus nidulans and contribute to hydrophobicity of the spore surface. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94546. [PMID: 24722460 PMCID: PMC3983194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrophobins are amphiphilic proteins able to self-assemble at water-air interphases and are only found in filamentous fungi. In Aspergillus nidulans two hydrophobins, RodA and DewA, have been characterized, which both localize on the conidiospore surface and contribute to its hydrophobicity. RodA is the constituent protein of very regularly arranged rodlets, 10 nm in diameter. Here we analyzed four more hydrophobins, DewB-E, in A. nidulans and found that all six hydrophobins contribute to the hydrophobic surface of the conidiospores but only deletion of rodA caused loss of the rodlet structure. Analysis of the rodlets in the dewB-E deletion strains with atomic force microscopy revealed that the rodlets appeared less robust. Expression of DewA and DewB driven from the rodA promoter and secreted with the RodA secretion signal in a strain lacking RodA, restored partly the hydrophobicity. DewA and B were able to form rodlets to some extent but never reached the rodlet structure of RodA. The rodlet-lacking rodA-deletion strain opens the possibility to systematically study rodlet formation of other natural or synthetic hydrophobins.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Grünbacher
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - Campus South, Institute for Applied Biosciences (IAB), Department of Microbiology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Tanja Throm
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - Campus South, Institute for Applied Biosciences (IAB), Department of Microbiology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Constanze Seidel
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - Campus South, Institute for Applied Biosciences (IAB), Department of Microbiology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Beatrice Gutt
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - Campus South, Institute for Applied Biosciences (IAB), Department of Microbiology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Julian Röhrig
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - Campus South, Institute for Applied Biosciences (IAB), Department of Microbiology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Timo Strunk
- KIT - Campus North, Institute of Nanotechnolgy (INT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Paul Vincze
- KIT - Campus North, Institute of Applied Physics and INT, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Stefan Walheim
- KIT - Campus North, Institute of Applied Physics and INT, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schimmel
- KIT - Campus North, Institute of Applied Physics and INT, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wenzel
- KIT - Campus North, Institute of Nanotechnolgy (INT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Fischer
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - Campus South, Institute for Applied Biosciences (IAB), Department of Microbiology, Karlsruhe, Germany
- * E-mail:
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46
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Monette MY, Somasekharan S, Forbush B. Molecular motions involved in Na-K-Cl cotransporter-mediated ion transport and transporter activation revealed by internal cross-linking between transmembrane domains 10 and 11/12. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:7569-79. [PMID: 24451383 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.542258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the relationship between transmembrane domain (TM) 10 and TM11/12 in NKCC1, testing homology models based on the structure of AdiC in the same transporter superfamily. We hypothesized that introduced cysteine pairs would be close enough for disulfide formation and would alter transport function: indeed, evidence for cross-link formation with low micromolar concentrations of copper phenanthroline or iodine was found in 3 of 8 initially tested pairs and in 1 of 26 additionally tested pairs. Inhibition of transport was observed with copper phenanthroline and iodine treatment of P676C/A734C and I677C/A734C, consistent with the proximity of these residues and with movement of TM10 during the occlusion step of ion transport. We also found Cu(2+) inhibition of the single-cysteine mutant A675C, suggesting that this residue and Met(382) of TM3 are involved in a Cu(2+)-binding site. Surprisingly, cross-linking of P676C/I730C was found to prevent rapid deactivation of the transporter while not affecting the dephosphorylation rate, thus uncoupling the phosphorylation and activation steps. Consistent with this, (a) cross-linking of P676C/I730C was dependent on activation state, and (b) mutants lacking the phosphoregulatory domain could still be activated by cross-linking. These results suggest a model of NKCC activation that involves movement of TM12 relative to TM10, which is likely tied to movement of the large C terminus, a process somehow triggered by phosphorylation of the regulatory domain in the N terminus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Y Monette
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
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47
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Ghaddar K, Krammer EM, Mihajlovic N, Brohée S, André B, Prévost M. Converting the yeast arginine can1 permease to a lysine permease. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:7232-7246. [PMID: 24448798 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.525915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amino acid uptake in yeast cells is mediated by about 16 plasma membrane permeases, most of which belong to the amino acid-polyamine-organocation (APC) transporter family. These proteins display various substrate specificity ranges. For instance, the general amino acid permease Gap1 transports all amino acids, whereas Can1 and Lyp1 catalyze specific uptake of arginine and lysine, respectively. Although Can1 and Lyp1 have different narrow substrate specificities, they are close homologs. Here we investigated the molecular rules determining the substrate specificity of the H(+)-driven arginine-specific permease Can1. Using a Can1-Lyp1 sequence alignment as a guideline and a three-dimensional Can1 structural model based on the crystal structure of the bacterial APC family arginine/agmatine antiporter, we introduced amino acid substitutions liable to alter Can1 substrate specificity. We show that the single substitution T456S results in a Can1 variant transporting lysine in addition to arginine and that the combined substitutions T456S and S176N convert Can1 to a Lyp1-like permease. Replacement of a highly conserved glutamate in the Can1 binding site leads to variants (E184Q and E184A) incapable of any amino acid transport, pointing to a potential role for this glutamate in H(+) coupling. Measurements of the kinetic parameters of arginine and lysine uptake by the wild-type and mutant Can1 permeases, together with docking calculations for each amino acid in their binding site, suggest a model in which residues at positions 176 and 456 confer substrate selectivity at the ligand-binding stage and/or in the course of conformational changes required for transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassem Ghaddar
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Moléculaire de la Cellule CP300, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires (IBMM), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 11 Rue des Pr. Jeener et Brachet, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Eva-Maria Krammer
- Structure et Fonction des Membranes Biologiques, Centre de Biologie Structurale et de Bioinformatique, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bld. du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Natalija Mihajlovic
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Moléculaire de la Cellule CP300, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires (IBMM), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 11 Rue des Pr. Jeener et Brachet, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Sylvain Brohée
- Machine Learning Group, Computer Science Department, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bruno André
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Moléculaire de la Cellule CP300, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires (IBMM), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 11 Rue des Pr. Jeener et Brachet, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium.
| | - Martine Prévost
- Structure et Fonction des Membranes Biologiques, Centre de Biologie Structurale et de Bioinformatique, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bld. du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
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Webb B, Eswar N, Fan H, Khuri N, Pieper U, Dong G, Sali A. Comparative Modeling of Drug Target Proteins☆. REFERENCE MODULE IN CHEMISTRY, MOLECULAR SCIENCES AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2014. [PMCID: PMC7157477 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-409547-2.11133-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this perspective, we begin by describing the comparative protein structure modeling technique and the accuracy of the corresponding models. We then discuss the significant role that comparative prediction plays in drug discovery. We focus on virtual ligand screening against comparative models and illustrate the state-of-the-art by a number of specific examples.
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49
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Barghash A, Helms V. Transferring functional annotations of membrane transporters on the basis of sequence similarity and sequence motifs. BMC Bioinformatics 2013; 14:343. [PMID: 24283849 PMCID: PMC4219331 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-14-343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Membrane transporters catalyze the transport of small solute molecules across biological barriers such as lipid bilayer membranes. Experimental identification of the transported substrates is very tedious. Once a particular transport mechanism has been identified in one organism, it is thus highly desirable to transfer this information to related transporter sequences in different organisms based on bioinformatics evidence. Results We present a thorough benchmark at which level of sequence identity membrane transporters from Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Arabidopsis thaliana belong to the same families of the Transporter Classification (TC) system, and at what level these membrane transporters mediate the transport of the same substrate. We found that two membrane transporter sequences from different organisms that are aligned with normalized BLAST expectation value better than E-value 1e-8 are highly likely to belong to the same TC family (F-measure around 90%). Enriched sequence motifs identified by MEME at thresholds below 1e-12 support accurate classification into TC families for about two thirds of the sequences (F-measure 80% and higher). For the comparison of transported substrates, we focused on the four largest substrate classes of amino acids, sugars, metal ions, and phosphate. At similar identity thresholds, the nature of the transported substrates was more divergent (F-measure 40 - 75% at the same thresholds) than the TC family membership. Conclusions We suggest an acceptable threshold of 1e-8 for BLAST and HMMER where at least three quarters of the sequences are classified according to the TC system with a reasonably high accuracy. Researchers who wish to apply these thresholds in their studies should multiply these thresholds by the size of the database they search against. Our findings should be useful to those who wish to transfer transporter functional annotations across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Barghash
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Postfach 15 11 50, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany.
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50
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Members of the conserved DedA family are likely membrane transporters and are required for drug resistance in Escherichia coli. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 58:923-30. [PMID: 24277026 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02238-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics and biocides is an increasing public health problem. Genes encoding integral membrane proteins belonging to the DedA family are present in most bacterial genomes, including Escherichia coli. An E. coli strain lacking partially redundant DedA family genes yqjA and yghB (strain BC202) displays temperature sensitivity and cell division defects. These phenotypes can be corrected by overexpression of mdfA, an Na(+)-K(+)/H(+) antiporter of the major facilitator superfamily. We show that BC202 is hypersensitive to several biocides and cationic compounds that are known substrates of several multidrug resistance transporters, including MdfA, EmrE, and AcrB. The introduction of deletions of genes encoding these drug transporters into BC202 results in additional sensitivity. Expression of wild-type yghB or yqjA can restore drug resistance, but this is eliminated upon mutation of two membrane-embedded acidic amino acids (E39 or D51 in either protein). This dependence upon membrane-embedded acidic amino acids is a hallmark of proton-dependent antiporters. Overexpression of mdfA in BC202 or artificially restoring proton motive force (PMF) restores wild-type resistance to substrates of MdfA as well as other drug resistance transporters such as EmrE and AcrAB. These results suggest that YqjA and YghB may be membrane transporters required for PMF-dependent drug efflux in E. coli.
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