1
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Pasch T, Bäumer N, Bäumer S, Buchholz F, Mootz HD. Towards targeted Cas9 (CRISPR-Cas) delivery: Preparation of IgG antibody-Cas9 conjugates using a split intein. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3592. [PMID: 38447547 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized the field of genetic engineering, but targeted cellular delivery remains a central problem. The delivery of the preformed ribonuclease-protein (RNP) complex has the advantages of fewer side effects and avoidance of potential permanent effects. We reasoned that an internalizing IgG antibody as a targeting device could address the delivery of Cas9-RNP. We opted for protein trans-splicing mediated by a split intein to facilitate posttranslational conjugation of the two large protein entities. We recently described the cysteine-less CL split intein that efficiently performs under oxidizing conditions and does not interfere with disulfide bonds or thiol bioconjugation chemistries. Using the CL split intein, we report for the first time the ligation of monoclonal IgG antibody precursors, expressed in mammalian cells, and a Cas9 precursor, obtained from bacterial expression. A purified IgG-Cas9 conjugate was loaded with sgRNA to form the active RNP complex and introduced a double-strand break in its target DNA in vitro. Furthermore, a synthetic peptide variant of the short N-terminal split intein precursor proved useful for chemical modification of Cas9. The split intein ligation procedure reported here for IgG-Cas9 provides the first step towards a novel CRISPR-Cas9 targeting approach involving the preformed RNP complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Pasch
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nicole Bäumer
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bäumer
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Buchholz
- Medical Systems Biology, University Cancer Center (UCC), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Henning D Mootz
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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2
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Schneider RF, Hallstrom K, DeMott C, McDonough KA. Conditional protein splicing of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecA intein in its native host. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.15.589443. [PMID: 38659745 PMCID: PMC11042385 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.15.589443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The recA gene, encoding Recombinase A (RecA) is one of three Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) genes encoding an in-frame intervening protein sequence (intein) that must splice out of precursor host protein to produce functional protein. Ongoing debate about whether inteins function solely as selfish genetic elements or benefit their host cells requires understanding of interplay between inteins and their hosts. We measured environmental effects on native RecA intein splicing within Mtb using a combination of western blots and promoter reporter assays. RecA splicing was stimulated in bacteria exposed to DNA damaging agents or by treatment with copper in hypoxic, but not normoxic, conditions. Spliced RecA was processed by the Mtb proteasome, while free intein was degraded efficiently by other unknown mechanisms. Unspliced precursor protein was not observed within Mtb despite its accumulation during ectopic expression of Mtb recA within E. coli. Surprisingly, Mtb produced free N-extein in some conditions, and ectopic expression of Mtb N-extein activated LexA in E. coli. These results demonstrate that the bacterial environment greatly impacts RecA splicing in Mtb, underscoring the importance of studying intein splicing in native host environments and raising the exciting possibility of intein splicing as a novel regulatory mechanism in Mtb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan F. Schneider
- Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany
| | | | | | - Kathleen A. McDonough
- Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany
- Wadsworth Center, New York Department of Health
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3
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Prabhala SV, Gierach I, Wood DW. The Evolution of Intein-Based Affinity Methods as Reflected in 30 years of Patent History. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:857566. [PMID: 35463948 PMCID: PMC9033041 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.857566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-cleaving affinity tags, based on engineered intein protein domains, have been touted as a universal single step purification platform for tagless non-mAb proteins. These approaches provide all of the power and flexibility of tag-based affinity methods, but deliver a tagless target protein suitable for clinical applications without complex process development. This combination of features might accelerate and de-risk biopharmaceutical development by bridging early discovery to full-scale manufacturing under a single platform. Despite this profound promise, intein-based technologies have yet to reach their full potential. This review examines the evolution of intein-based purification methods in the light of several significant intein patents filed over the last 3 decades. Illustrated with actual key figures from each of the relevant patents, key advances are described with a focus on applications in basic research and biopharmaceutical production. Suggestions for extending intein-based purification systems to emerging therapies and non-protein applications are presented as concluding remarks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Vivek Prabhala
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | | | - David W. Wood
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States,Protein Capture Science, Columbus, OH, United States,*Correspondence: David W. Wood,
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4
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Yalala VR, Lynch AK, Mills KV. Conditional Alternative Protein Splicing Promoted by Inteins from Haloquadratum walsbyi. Biochemistry 2022; 61:294-302. [PMID: 35073064 PMCID: PMC8847336 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein splicing is a post-translational process by which an intervening protein, or an intein, catalyzes its own excision from flanking polypeptides, or exteins, coupled to extein ligation. Four inteins interrupt the MCM helicase of the halophile Haloquadratum walsbyi, two of which are mini-inteins that lack a homing endonuclease. Both inteins can be overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified as unspliced precursors; splicing can be induced in vitro by incubation with salt. However, one intein can splice in 0.5 M NaCl in vitro, whereas the other splices efficiently only in buffer containing over 2 M NaCl; the organism also requires high salt to grow, with the standard growth media containing over 3 M NaCl and about 0.75 M magnesium salts. Consistent with this difference in salt-dependent activity, an intein-containing precursor protein with both inteins promotes conditional alternative protein splicing (CAPS) to yield different spliced products dependent on the salt concentration. Native Trp fluorescence of the inteins suggests that the difference in activity may be due to partial unfolding of the inteins at lower salt concentrations. This differential salt sensitivity of intein activity may provide a useful mechanism for halophiles to respond to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishnavi R Yalala
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
| | - Abigeal K Lynch
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
| | - Kenneth V Mills
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
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5
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Robinzon S, Cawood AR, Ruiz MA, Gophna U, Altman-Price N, Mills KV. Protein Splicing Activity of the Haloferax volcanii PolB-c Intein Is Sensitive to Homing Endonuclease Domain Mutations. Biochemistry 2020; 59:3359-3367. [PMID: 32822531 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Inteins are selfish genetic elements residing in open reading frames that can splice post-translationally, resulting in the ligation of an uninterrupted, functional protein. Like other inteins, the DNA polymerase B (PolB) intein of the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii has an active homing endonuclease (HEN) domain, facilitating its horizontal transmission. Previous work has shown that the presence of the PolB intein exerts a significant fitness cost on the organism compared to an intein-free isogenic H. volcanii. Here, we show that mutation of a conserved residue in the HEN domain not only reduces intein homing but also slows growth. Surprisingly, although this mutation is far from the protein splicing active site, it also significantly reduces in vitro protein splicing. Moreover, two additional HEN domain mutations, which could not be introduced to H. volcanii, presumably due to lethality, also eliminate protein splicing activity in vitro. These results suggest an interplay between HEN residues and the protein splicing domain, despite an over 35 Å separation in a PolB intein homology model. The combination of in vivo and in vitro evidence strongly supports a model of codependence between the self-splicing domain and the HEN domain that has been alluded to by previous in vitro studies of protein splicing with HEN domain-containing inteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shachar Robinzon
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Alexandra R Cawood
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
| | - Mercedes A Ruiz
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
| | - Uri Gophna
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Neta Altman-Price
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.,The Open University, Raanana 43107, Israel
| | - Kenneth V Mills
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
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6
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Eichler J. Modifying Post‐Translational Modifications: A Strategy Used by Archaea for Adapting to Changing Environments? Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900207. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Eichler
- Department of Life SciencesBen Gurion University of the Negev Beersheva 84105 Israel
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7
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Zhao J, Du Z, Wang C, Mills KV. Methods to Study the Structure and Catalytic Activity of cis-Splicing Inteins. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2133:55-73. [PMID: 32144663 PMCID: PMC7325523 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0434-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The autocatalytic process of protein splicing is facilitated by an intein, which interrupts flanking polypeptides called exteins. The mechanism of protein splicing has been studied by overexpression in E. coli of intein fusion proteins with nonnative exteins. Inteins can be used to generate reactive α-thioesters, as well as proteins with N-terminal Cys residues, to facilitate expressed protein ligation. As such, a more detailed understanding of the function of inteins can have significant impact for biotechnology applications. Here, we provide biochemical methods to study splicing activity and NMR methods to study intein structure and the catalytic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Zhenming Du
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Kenneth V Mills
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA.
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8
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A mesophilic cysteine-less split intein for protein trans-splicing applications under oxidizing conditions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:22164-22172. [PMID: 31611397 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1909825116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Split intein-mediated protein trans-splicing has found extensive applications in chemical biology, protein chemistry, and biotechnology. However, an enduring limitation of all well-established split inteins has been the requirement to carry out the reaction in a reducing environment due to the presence of 1 or 2 catalytic cysteines that need to be in a reduced state for splicing to occur. The concomitant exposure of the fused proteins to reducing agents severely limits the scope of protein trans-splicing by excluding proteins sensitive to reducing conditions, such as those containing critical disulfide bonds. Here we report the discovery, characterization, and engineering of a completely cysteine-less split intein (CL intein) that is capable of efficient trans-splicing at ambient temperatures, without a denaturation step, and in the absence of reducing agents. We demonstrate its utility for the site-specific chemical modification of nanobodies and an antibody Fc fragment by N- and C-terminal trans-splicing with short peptide tags (CysTag) that consist of only a few amino acids and have been prelabeled on a single cysteine using classical cysteine bioconjugation. We also synthesized the short N-terminal fragment of the atypically split CL intein by solid-phase peptide synthesis. Furthermore, using the CL intein in combination with a nanobody-epitope pair as a high-affinity mediator, we showed chemical labeling of the extracellular domain of a cell surface receptor on living mammalian cells with a short CysTag containing a synthetic fluorophore. The CL intein thus greatly expands the scope of applications for protein trans-splicing.
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9
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Green CM, Li Z, Smith AD, Novikova O, Bacot-Davis VR, Gao F, Hu S, Banavali NK, Thiele DJ, Li H, Belfort M. Spliceosomal Prp8 intein at the crossroads of protein and RNA splicing. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000104. [PMID: 31600193 PMCID: PMC6805012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The spliceosome is a large ribonucleoprotein complex that removes introns from pre-mRNAs. At its functional core lies the essential pre-mRNA processing factor 8 (Prp8) protein. Across diverse eukaryotes, this protein cofactor of RNA catalysis harbors a self-splicing element called an intein. Inteins in Prp8 are extremely pervasive and are found at 7 different sites in various species. Here, we focus on the Prp8 intein from Cryptococcus neoformans (Cne), a human fungal pathogen. We solved the crystal structure of this intein, revealing structural homology among protein splicing sequences in eukaryotes, including the Hedgehog C terminus. Working with the Cne Prp8 intein in a reporter assay, we find that the biologically relevant divalent metals copper and zinc inhibit intein splicing, albeit by 2 different mechanisms. Copper likely stimulates reversible modifications on a catalytically important cysteine, whereas zinc binds at the terminal asparagine and the same critical cysteine. Importantly, we also show that copper treatment inhibits Prp8 protein splicing in Cne. Lastly, an intein-containing Prp8 precursor model is presented, suggesting that metal-induced protein splicing inhibition would disturb function of both Prp8 and the spliceosome. These results indicate that Prp8 protein splicing can be modulated, with potential functional implications for the spliceosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathleen M. Green
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Zhong Li
- Division of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Aaron D. Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Olga Novikova
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Valjean R. Bacot-Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Fengshan Gao
- Division of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Saiyang Hu
- Division of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Nilesh K. Banavali
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America,Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Dennis J. Thiele
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America,Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Hongmin Li
- Division of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America,Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, New York, United States of America,* E-mail: (MB); (HL)
| | - Marlene Belfort
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany, Albany, New York, United States of America,Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, New York, United States of America,* E-mail: (MB); (HL)
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10
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Kelley DS, Lennon CW, Li Z, Miller MR, Banavali NK, Li H, Belfort M. Mycobacterial DnaB helicase intein as oxidative stress sensor. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4363. [PMID: 30341292 PMCID: PMC6195587 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06554-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Inteins are widespread self-splicing protein elements emerging as potential post-translational environmental sensors. Here, we describe two inteins within one protein, the Mycobacterium smegmatis replicative helicase DnaB. These inteins, DnaBi1 and DnaBi2, have homology to inteins in pathogens, splice with vastly varied rates, and are differentially responsive to environmental stressors. Whereas DnaBi1 splicing is reversibly inhibited by oxidative and nitrosative insults, DnaBi2 is not. Using a reporter that measures splicing in a native intein-containing organism and western blotting, we show that H2O2 inhibits DnaBi1 splicing in M. smegmatis. Intriguingly, upon oxidation, the catalytic cysteine of DnaBi1 forms an intramolecular disulfide bond. We report a crystal structure of the class 3 DnaBi1 intein at 1.95 Å, supporting our findings and providing insight into this splicing mechanism. We propose that this cysteine toggle allows DnaBi1 to sense stress, pausing replication to maintain genome integrity, and then allowing splicing immediately when permissive conditions return.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle S Kelley
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Christopher W Lennon
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Zhong Li
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Michael R Miller
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Nilesh K Banavali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Hongmin Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA.
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
| | - Marlene Belfort
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA.
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11
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Xu Y, Zhang L, Ma B, Hu L, Lu H, Dou T, Chen J, Zhu J. Intermolecular disulfide bonds between unpaired cysteines retard the C-terminal trans-cleavage of Npu DnaE. Enzyme Microb Technol 2018; 118:6-12. [PMID: 30143201 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Npu DnaE is a naturally occurred split intein possessing robust trans-splicing activity and could be engineered to perform rapid C-terminal cleavage module by a single mutation D118G. Unfortunately, however, for this modified selfcleaving module, reducing agents were needed to trigger the rapid cleavage, which prevents the utilization in purification of disulfide bonds containing recombinant proteins. In this study, we demonstrated that the unpaired cysteine residues in Npu DnaE tend to form disulfide bonds, and contributed to the reduction of the cleavage under non-reducing conditions. This redox trap can be disrupted by site-directed mutation of these unpaired cysteines. The results further indicated that the position 28 and 59 may play certain roles in the correct folding of the active conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanran Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Buyong Ma
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Lifu Hu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Huili Lu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tonglu Dou
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Junsheng Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, USA.
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12
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Moll JM, Wehmöller M, Frank NC, Homey L, Baran P, Garbers C, Lamertz L, Axelrod JH, Galun E, Mootz HD, Scheller J. Split 2 Protein-Ligation Generates Active IL-6-Type Hyper-Cytokines from Inactive Precursors. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:2260-2272. [PMID: 29136368 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00208] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Trans-signaling of the major pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-11 has the unique feature to virtually activate all cells of the body and is critically involved in chronic inflammation and regeneration. Hyper-IL-6 and Hyper-IL-11 are single chain designer trans-signaling cytokines, in which the cytokine and soluble receptor units are trapped in one complex via a flexible peptide linker. Albeit, Hyper-cytokines are essential tools to study trans-signaling in vitro and in vivo, the superior potency of these designer cytokines are accompanied by undesirable stress responses. To enable tailor-made generation of Hyper-cytokines, we developed inactive split-cytokine-precursors adapted for posttranslational reassembly by split-intein mediated protein trans-splicing (PTS). We identified cutting sites within IL-6 (E134/S135) and IL-11 (G116/S117) and obtained inactive split-Hyper-IL-6 and split-Hyper-IL-11 cytokine precursors. After fusion with split-inteins, PTS resulted in reconstitution of active Hyper-cytokines, which were efficiently secreted from transfected cells. Our strategy comprises the development of a background-free cytokine signaling system from reversibly inactivated precursor cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens M. Moll
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Melanie Wehmöller
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nils C. Frank
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lisa Homey
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Paul Baran
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Larissa Lamertz
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jonathan H. Axelrod
- Goldyne
Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Medical Organization, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eithan Galun
- Goldyne
Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Medical Organization, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Henning D. Mootz
- Department
Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jürgen Scheller
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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13
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Ramsoomair CK, Yakely AE, Urbanski LM, Karanja K, Giaccone ZT, Siegart NM, Wang C, Gomez AV, Reitter JN, Mills KV. Coordination of the third step of protein splicing in two cyanobacterial inteins. FEBS Lett 2017. [PMID: 28649707 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The third step of protein splicing is cyclization of Asn coupled to peptide bond cleavage. In two related cyanobacterial inteins, this step is facilitated by Asn or Gln. For a Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 intein, the isolated third step of protein splicing is more efficient with its native Asn than with substitution to Gln. For a Trichodesmium erythraeum intein, its native Gln facilitates the third step as efficiently as with Asn. Despite these differences, the yield of splicing is not affected, suggesting that the third step is influenced by mechanism-linked conformational changes. A conserved catalytic His and the penultimate residue also play roles in promoting side-chain cyclization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony E Yakely
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Laura M Urbanski
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Kevin Karanja
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | - Nicolle M Siegart
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Alvin V Gomez
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Julie N Reitter
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth V Mills
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
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14
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Jung D, Sato K, Min K, Shigenaga A, Jung J, Otaka A, Kwon Y. Photo-triggered fluorescent labelling of recombinant proteins in live cells. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 51:9670-3. [PMID: 25977944 DOI: 10.1039/c5cc01067e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A method to photo-chemically trigger fluorescent labelling of proteins in live cells is developed. The approach is based on photo-caged split-intein mediated conditional protein trans-splicing reaction and enabled background-free fluorescent labelling of target proteins with the necessary spatiotemporal control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deokho Jung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Pildong 3-ga, Seoul, Korea.
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15
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Reitter JN, Cousin CE, Nicastri MC, Jaramillo MV, Mills KV. Salt-Dependent Conditional Protein Splicing of an Intein from Halobacterium salinarum. Biochemistry 2016; 55:1279-82. [PMID: 26913597 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
An intein from Halobacterium salinarum can be isolated as an unspliced precursor protein with exogenous exteins after Escherichia coli overexpression. The intein promotes protein splicing and uncoupled N-terminal cleavage in vitro, conditional on incubation with NaCl or KCl at concentrations of >1.5 M. The protein splicing reaction also is conditional on reduction of a disulfide bond between two active site cysteines. Conditional protein splicing under these relatively mild conditions may lead to advances in intein-based biotechnology applications and hints at the possibility that this H. salinarum intein could serve as a switch to control extein activity under physiologically relevant conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie N Reitter
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross , Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
| | - Christopher E Cousin
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross , Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
| | - Michael C Nicastri
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross , Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
| | - Mario V Jaramillo
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross , Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
| | - Kenneth V Mills
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross , Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
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16
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Callahan BP, Wang C. Hedgehog Cholesterolysis: Specialized Gatekeeper to Oncogenic Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:2037-53. [PMID: 26473928 PMCID: PMC4695875 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7040875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Discussions of therapeutic suppression of hedgehog (Hh) signaling almost exclusively focus on receptor antagonism; however, hedgehog's biosynthesis represents a unique and potentially targetable aspect of this oncogenic signaling pathway. Here, we review a key biosynthetic step called cholesterolysis from the perspectives of structure/function and small molecule inhibition. Cholesterolysis, also called cholesteroylation, generates cholesterol-modified Hh ligand via autoprocessing of a hedgehog precursor protein. Post-translational modification by cholesterol appears to be restricted to proteins in the hedgehog family. The transformation is essential for Hh biological activity and upstream of signaling events. Despite its decisive role in generating ligand, cholesterolysis remains conspicuously unexplored as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Callahan
- Chemistry Department, Binghamton University 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA.
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Biology Department, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
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17
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Wong S, Mosabbir AA, Truong K. An Engineered Split Intein for Photoactivated Protein Trans-Splicing. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135965. [PMID: 26317656 PMCID: PMC4552755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein splicing is mediated by inteins that auto-catalytically join two separated protein fragments with a peptide bond. Here we engineered a genetically encoded synthetic photoactivatable intein (named LOVInC), by using the light-sensitive LOV2 domain from Avena sativa as a switch to modulate the splicing activity of the split DnaE intein from Nostoc punctiforme. Periodic blue light illumination of LOVInC induced protein splicing activity in mammalian cells. To demonstrate the broad applicability of LOVInC, synthetic protein systems were engineered for the light-induced reassembly of several target proteins such as fluorescent protein markers, a dominant positive mutant of RhoA, caspase-7, and the genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator GCaMP2. Spatial precision of LOVInC was demonstrated by targeting activity to specific mammalian cells. Thus, LOVInC can serve as a general platform for engineering light-based control for modulating the activity of many different proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley Wong
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Abdullah A. Mosabbir
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Kevin Truong
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4, Canada
- * E-mail:
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18
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Böcker JK, Friedel K, Matern JCJ, Bachmann AL, Mootz HD. Generation of a Genetically Encoded, Photoactivatable Intein for the Controlled Production of Cyclic Peptides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201409848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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19
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Böcker JK, Friedel K, Matern JCJ, Bachmann AL, Mootz HD. Generation of a Genetically Encoded, Photoactivatable Intein for the Controlled Production of Cyclic Peptides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014; 54:2116-20. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201409848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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20
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Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of C-terminal Cleavage Intein-Based Constructs in Producing a Recombinant Analog of Anophelin, an Anticoagulant from Anopheles albimanus. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2014; 175:2468-88. [DOI: 10.1007/s12010-014-1400-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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21
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Groitl B, Jakob U. Thiol-based redox switches. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2014; 1844:1335-43. [PMID: 24657586 PMCID: PMC4059413 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of protein function through thiol-based redox switches plays an important role in the response and adaptation to local and global changes in the cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Redox regulation is used by first responder proteins, such as ROS-specific transcriptional regulators, chaperones or metabolic enzymes to protect cells against mounting levels of oxidants, repair the damage and restore redox homeostasis. Redox regulation of phosphatases and kinases is used to control the activity of select eukaryotic signaling pathways, making reactive oxygen species important second messengers that regulate growth, development and differentiation. In this review we will compare different types of reversible protein thiol modifications, elaborate on their structural and functional consequences and discuss their role in oxidative stress response and ROS adaptation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Thiol-Based Redox Processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Groitl
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ursula Jakob
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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22
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Abstract
Inteins are nature's escape artists; they facilitate their excision from flanking polypeptides (exteins) concomitant with extein ligation to produce a mature host protein. Splicing requires sequential nucleophilic displacement reactions catalyzed by strategies similar to proteases and asparagine lyases. Inteins require precise reaction coordination rather than rapid turnover or tight substrate binding because they are single turnover enzymes with covalently linked substrates. This has allowed inteins to explore alternative mechanisms with different steps or to use different methods for activation and coordination of the steps. Pressing issues include understanding the underlying details of catalysis and how the splicing steps are controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth V Mills
- From the Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610
| | - Margaret A Johnson
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, and
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23
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Novikova O, Topilina N, Belfort M. Enigmatic distribution, evolution, and function of inteins. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:14490-7. [PMID: 24695741 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r114.548255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Inteins are mobile genetic elements capable of self-splicing post-translationally. They exist in all three domains of life including in viruses and bacteriophage, where they have a sporadic distribution even among very closely related species. In this review, we address this anomalous distribution from the point of view of the evolution of the host species as well as the intrinsic features of the inteins that contribute to their genetic mobility. We also discuss the incidence of inteins in functionally important sites of their host proteins. Finally, we describe instances of conditional protein splicing. These latter observations lead us to the hypothesis that some inteins have adapted to become sensors that play regulatory roles within their host protein, to the advantage of the organism in which they reside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Novikova
- From the Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany, The State University of New York, Albany, New York 12222
| | - Natalya Topilina
- From the Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany, The State University of New York, Albany, New York 12222
| | - Marlene Belfort
- From the Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany, The State University of New York, Albany, New York 12222
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24
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Topilina NI, Mills KV. Recent advances in in vivo applications of intein-mediated protein splicing. Mob DNA 2014; 5:5. [PMID: 24490831 PMCID: PMC3922620 DOI: 10.1186/1759-8753-5-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Intein-mediated protein splicing has become an essential tool in modern biotechnology. Fundamental progress in the structure and catalytic strategies of cis- and trans-splicing inteins has led to the development of modified inteins that promote efficient protein purification, ligation, modification and cyclization. Recent work has extended these in vitro applications to the cell or to whole organisms. We review recent advances in intein-mediated protein expression and modification, post-translational processing and labeling, protein regulation by conditional protein splicing, biosensors, and expression of trans-genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenneth V Mills
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610, USA.
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