1
|
Cosottini L, Geri A, Ghini V, Mannelli M, Zineddu S, Di Paco G, Giachetti A, Massai L, Severi M, Gamberi T, Rosato A, Turano P, Messori L. Unlocking the Power of Human Ferritin: Enhanced Drug Delivery of Aurothiomalate in A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024:e202410791. [PMID: 38949226 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202410791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Aurothiomalate (AuTM) is an FDA-approved antiarthritic gold drug with unique anticancer properties. To enhance its anticancer activity, we prepared a bioconjugate with human apoferritin (HuHf) by attaching some AuTM moieties to surface protein residues. The reaction of apoferritin with excess AuTM yielded a single adduct, that was characterized by ESI MS and ICP-OES analysis, using three mutant ferritins and trypsinization experiments. The adduct contains ~3 gold atoms per ferritin subunit, arranged in a small cluster bound to Cys90 and Cys102. MD simulations provided a plausible structural model for the cluster. The adduct was evaluated for its pharmacological properties and was found to be significantly more cytotoxic than free AuTM against A2780 cancer cells mainly due to higher gold uptake. NMR-metabolomics showed that AuTM bound to HuHf and free AuTM induced qualitatively similar changes in treated cancer cells, indicating that the effects on cell metabolism are approximately the same, in agreement with independent biochemical experiments. In conclusion, we have demonstrated here that a molecularly precise bioconjugate formed between AuTM and HuHf exhibits anticancer properties far superior to the free drug, while retaining its key mechanistic features. Evidence is provided that human ferritin can serve as an excellent carrier for this metallodrug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Cosottini
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Andrea Geri
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Veronica Ghini
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Michele Mannelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Zineddu
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Giorgio Di Paco
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Andrea Giachetti
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine (CIRMMP), 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Lara Massai
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Mirko Severi
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Tania Gamberi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
- Magnetic Resonance Center, University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Paola Turano
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
- Magnetic Resonance Center, University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Luigi Messori
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li R, Ma Y, Dong Y, Zhao Z, You C, Huang S, Li X, Wang F, Zhang Y. Novel Paclitaxel-Loaded Nanoparticles Based on Human H Chain Ferritin for Tumor-Targeted Delivery. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 5:6645-6654. [PMID: 33423483 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Paclitaxel (PTX), an excellent chemotherapeutic antitumor drug, is widely used to treat patients with various cancers. However, its clinical applications are greatly restricted by poor solubility and lack of targeting. Herein, we applied natural human H chain ferritin (HFtn) nanocages that can bind to tumor cells via interacting with the human transferritin receptor 1 (TfR1) leading to its endocytosis as the PTX carrier for the targeted delivery. PTX molecules were encapsulated into HFtn cavity using disassembly/reassembly method through adjusting pH. According to the requirements of drugs suitable for clinical trials, HFtn can be easily purified in high yields with no ligand modification or property modulation. We demonstrated that PTX molecules were successfully encapsulated in the protein nanocages. The HFtn-PTX nanoparticles exhibited similar morphology and structural characteristics to the hollow cage and showed significant cytotoxicity in vitro than the naked PTX. Flow cytometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and in vivo imaging of MDA-MB-231 tumor demonstrated the HFtn-PTX nanoparticles targeting ability to tumor cells. Cell apoptosis assay showed that HFtn-PTX had similar apoptotic characteristics on MDA-MB-231 cells as that of the free PTX. HFtn-PTX nanoparticles have higher in vivo therapeutic efficacy and lower systemic toxicity. The BALB/c mice model also confirmed the effectiveness of the nanoparticles. Specifically targeting to tumors and solving the solubility issue of water-insoluble drugs thus alleviating the side effects, HFtn can be an efficient hydrophobic drug delivery nanocarrier for further applications in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruike Li
- College of Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Yuanmeng Ma
- College of Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Yixin Dong
- College of Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Zhujun Zhao
- College of Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Chaoqun You
- College of Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China.,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210089, P. R. China
| | - Shenlin Huang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Xun Li
- College of Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Fei Wang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Effect of the point mutation H54N on the ferroxidase process of Rana catesbeiana H′ ferritin. J Inorg Biochem 2019; 197:110697. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.110697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
|
4
|
Koochana PK, Mohanty A, Das S, Subhadarshanee B, Satpati S, Dixit A, Sabat SC, Behera RK. Releasing iron from ferritin protein nanocage by reductive method: The role of electron transfer mediator. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:1190-1198. [PMID: 29471025 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ferritin detoxifies excess of free Fe(II) and concentrates it in the form of ferrihydrite (Fe2O3·xH2O) mineral. When in need, ferritin iron is released for cellular metabolic activities. However, the low solubility of Fe(III) at neutral pH, its encapsulation by stable protein nanocage and presence of dissolved O2 limits in vitro ferritin iron release. METHODS Physiological reducing agent, NADH (E1/2 = -330 mV) was inefficient in releasing the ferritin iron (E1/2 = +183 mV), when used alone. Thus, current work investigates the role of low concentration (5-50 μM) of phenazine based electron transfer (ET) mediators such as FMN, PYO - a redox active virulence factor secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and PMS towards iron mobilization from recombinant frog M ferritin. RESULTS The presence of dissolved O2, resulting in initial lag phase and low iron release in FMN, had little impact in case of PMS and PYO, reflecting their better ET relay ability that facilitates iron mobilization. The molecular modeling as well as fluorescence studies provided further structural insight towards interaction of redox mediators on ferritin surface for electron relay. CONCLUSIONS Reductive mobilization of iron from ferritin is dependent on the relative rate of NADH oxidation, dissolved O2 consumption and mineral core reduction, which in turn depends on E1/2 of these mediators and their interaction with ferritin. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The current mechanism of in vitro iron mobilization from ferritin by using redox mediators involves different ET steps, which may help to understand the iron release pathway in vivo and to check microbial growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Abhinav Mohanty
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Suman Das
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Biswamaitree Subhadarshanee
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India; KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Suresh Satpati
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar 751023, Odisha, India
| | - Anshuman Dixit
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar 751023, Odisha, India
| | | | - Rabindra K Behera
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ferraro G, Ciambellotti S, Messori L, Merlino A. Cisplatin Binding Sites in Human H-Chain Ferritin. Inorg Chem 2017; 56:9064-9070. [PMID: 28737381 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b01072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work is to identify the cisplatin binding sites on human H-chain ferritin. High-resolution X-ray crystallography reveals that cisplatin binds four distinct protein sites, that is, the side chains of His136 and Lys68, the side chain of His105, the side chain of Cys90 and the side chain of Cys102. These Pt binding sites are compared with those observed for the adduct that cisplatin forms upon encapsulation within horse spleen L-chain ferritin (87% identity with human L-chain ferritin).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giarita Ferraro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II , Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Ciambellotti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Firenze , Via Della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Luigi Messori
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Firenze , Via Della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II , Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia, I-80126 Naples, Italy.,Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages , Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pulsipher KW, Villegas JA, Roose BW, Hicks TL, Yoon J, Saven JG, Dmochowski IJ. Thermophilic Ferritin 24mer Assembly and Nanoparticle Encapsulation Modulated by Interdimer Electrostatic Repulsion. Biochemistry 2017; 56:3596-3606. [PMID: 28682599 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Protein cage self-assembly enables encapsulation and sequestration of small molecules, macromolecules, and nanomaterials for many applications in bionanotechnology. Notably, wild-type thermophilic ferritin from Archaeoglobus fulgidus (AfFtn) exists as a stable dimer of four-helix bundle proteins at a low ionic strength, and the protein forms a hollow assembly of 24 protomers at a high ionic strength (∼800 mM NaCl). This assembly process can also be initiated by highly charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in solution, leading to encapsulation. These data suggest that salt solutions or charged AuNPs can shield unfavorable electrostatic interactions at AfFtn dimer-dimer interfaces, but specific "hot-spot" residues controlling assembly have not been identified. To investigate this further, we computationally designed three AfFtn mutants (E65R, D138K, and A127R) that introduce a single positive charge at sites along the dimer-dimer interface. These proteins exhibited different assembly kinetics and thermodynamics, which were ranked in order of increasing 24mer propensity: A127R < wild type < D138K ≪ E65R. E65R assembled into the 24mer across a wide range of ionic strengths (0-800 mM NaCl), and the dissociation temperature for the 24mer was 98 °C. X-ray crystal structure analysis of the E65R mutant identified a more compact, closed-pore cage geometry. A127R and D138K mutants exhibited wild-type ability to encapsulate and stabilize 5 nm AuNPs, whereas E65R did not encapsulate AuNPs at the same high yields. This work illustrates designed protein cages with distinct assembly and encapsulation properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine W Pulsipher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania , 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Jose A Villegas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania , 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Benjamin W Roose
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania , 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Tacey L Hicks
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania , 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Jennifer Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania , 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Jeffery G Saven
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania , 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ivan J Dmochowski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania , 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chemistry at the protein-mineral interface in L-ferritin assists the assembly of a functional (μ 3-oxo)Tris[(μ 2-peroxo)] triiron(III) cluster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:2580-2585. [PMID: 28202724 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1614302114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray structures of homopolymeric L-ferritin obtained by freezing protein crystals at increasing exposure times to a ferrous solution showed the progressive formation of a triiron cluster on the inner cage surface of each subunit. After 60 min exposure, a fully assembled (μ3-oxo)Tris[(μ2-peroxo)(μ2-glutamato-κO:κO')](glutamato-κO)(diaquo)triiron(III) anionic cluster appears in human L-ferritin. Glu60, Glu61, and Glu64 provide the anchoring of the cluster to the protein cage. Glu57 shuttles incoming iron ions toward the cluster. We observed a similar metallocluster in horse spleen L-ferritin, indicating that it represents a common feature of mammalian L-ferritins. The structures suggest a mechanism for iron mineral formation at the protein interface. The functional significance of the observed patch of carboxylate side chains and resulting metallocluster for biomineralization emerges from the lower iron oxidation rate measured in the E60AE61AE64A variant of human L-ferritin, leading to the proposal that the observed metallocluster corresponds to the suggested, but yet unobserved, nucleation site of L-ferritin.
Collapse
|
8
|
de Turris V, Cardoso Trabuco M, Peruzzi G, Boffi A, Testi C, Vallone B, Celeste Montemiglio L, Georges AD, Calisti L, Benni I, Bonamore A, Baiocco P. Humanized archaeal ferritin as a tool for cell targeted delivery. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:647-655. [PMID: 27942679 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr07129e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Human ferritins have been extensively studied to be used as nanocarriers for diverse applications and could represent a convenient alternative for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and imaging agents. However, the most relevant limitation to their applications is the need for highly acidic experimental conditions during the initial steps of particle/cargo assembly, a process that could affect both drug stability and the complete reassembly of the ferritin cage. To overcome this issue the unique assembly of Archaeoglobus fulgidus ferritin was genetically engineered by changing a surface exposed loop of 12 amino acids connecting B and C helices to mimic the sequence of the analogous human H-chain ferritin loop. This new chimeric protein was shown to maintain the unique, cation linked, association-dissociation properties of Archaeoglobus fulgidus ferritin occurring at neutral pH values, while exhibiting the typical human H-homopolymer recognition by the transferrin receptor TfR1. The chimeric protein was confirmed to be actively and specifically internalized by HeLa cells, thus representing a unique nanotechnological tool for cell-targeted delivery of possible payloads for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the 12 amino acids' loop is necessary and sufficient for binding to the transferrin receptor. The three-dimensional structure of the humanized Archaeoglobus ferritin has been obtained both as crystals by X-ray diffraction and in solution by cryo-EM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria de Turris
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, V.le Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.
| | | | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, V.le Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.
| | - Alberto Boffi
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, V.le Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy. and Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, P.le A. Moro, 7, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Testi
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, V.le Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.
| | - Beatrice Vallone
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, P.le A. Moro, 7, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Linda Celeste Montemiglio
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Amédée Des Georges
- The City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Lorenzo Calisti
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Benni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bonamore
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Baiocco
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, V.le Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Iron is very important in many biological processes and the ferritin protein family has evolved to store iron and to maintain cellular iron homeostasis. The deletion of the coding gene for the H subunit of ferritin leads to early embryonic death in mice and mutations in the gene for the L subunits in humans has been observed in neurodegenerative diseases, such as neuroferritinopathy. Thus, understanding how ferritin works is imperative and many studies have been conducted to delineate the molecular mechanism of ferritins and bacterioferritins. In the ferritin protein family, it is clear that a catalytic center for iron oxidation, the routes for iron to reach this center and the ability to nucleate an iron core, are common requirements for all ferritins. However, there are differences in the structural and mechanistic details of iron oxidation and mineralization. Although a common mechanism has been proposed for all ferritins, this mechanism needs to be further explored. There is a mechanistic diversity related to structural variation in the ferritin protein family. It is clear that other factors appear to affect the mechanism of iron oxidation and mineralization. This review focusses on the structural features of the ferritin protein family and its role in the mechanism of iron mineralization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Yévenes
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chandramouli B, Bernacchioni C, Di Maio D, Turano P, Brancato G. Electrostatic and Structural Bases of Fe2+ Translocation through Ferritin Channels. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:25617-25628. [PMID: 27756844 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.748046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferritin molecular cages are marvelous 24-mer supramolecular architectures that enable massive iron storage (>2000 iron atoms) within their inner cavity. This cavity is connected to the outer environment by two channels at C3 and C4 symmetry axes of the assembly. Ferritins can also be exploited as carriers for in vivo imaging and therapeutic applications, owing to their capability to effectively protect synthetic non-endogenous agents within the cage cavity and deliver them to targeted tissue cells without stimulating adverse immune responses. Recently, X-ray crystal structures of Fe2+-loaded ferritins provided important information on the pathways followed by iron ions toward the ferritin cavity and the catalytic centers within the protein. However, the specific mechanisms enabling Fe2+ uptake through wild-type and mutant ferritin channels is largely unknown. To shed light on this question, we report extensive molecular dynamics simulations, site-directed mutagenesis, and kinetic measurements that characterize the transport properties and translocation mechanism of Fe2+ through the two ferritin channels, using the wild-type bullfrog Rana catesbeiana H' protein and some of its variants as case studies. We describe the structural features that determine Fe2+ translocation with atomistic detail, and we propose a putative mechanism for Fe2+ transport through the channel at the C3 symmetry axis, which is the only iron-permeable channel in vertebrate ferritins. Our findings have important implications for understanding how ion permeation occurs, and further how it may be controlled via purposely engineered channels for novel biomedical applications based on ferritin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Balasubramanian Chandramouli
- From the Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I-56126 Pisa, .,the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione di Pisa, Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, and
| | - Caterina Bernacchioni
- the Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM) and Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Danilo Di Maio
- From the Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I-56126 Pisa.,the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione di Pisa, Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, and
| | - Paola Turano
- the Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM) and Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Brancato
- From the Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I-56126 Pisa, .,the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione di Pisa, Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, and
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bernacchioni C, Pozzi C, Di Pisa F, Mangani S, Turano P. Ferroxidase Activity in Eukaryotic Ferritin is Controlled by Accessory-Iron-Binding Sites in the Catalytic Cavity. Chemistry 2016; 22:16213-16219. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201602842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Bernacchioni
- CERM and Department of Chemistry; University of Florence; Via Sacconi 6 Sesto Fiorentino Firenze 50019 Italy
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie; Chimica e Farmacia; University of Siena; Via Aldo Moro 2 Siena 53100 Italy
| | - Flavio Di Pisa
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie; Chimica e Farmacia; University of Siena; Via Aldo Moro 2 Siena 53100 Italy
| | - Stefano Mangani
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie; Chimica e Farmacia; University of Siena; Via Aldo Moro 2 Siena 53100 Italy
| | - Paola Turano
- CERM and Department of Chemistry; University of Florence; Via Sacconi 6 Sesto Fiorentino Firenze 50019 Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Theil EC, Tosha T, Behera RK. Solving Biology's Iron Chemistry Problem with Ferritin Protein Nanocages. Acc Chem Res 2016; 49:784-91. [PMID: 27136423 DOI: 10.1021/ar500469e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Ferritins reversibly synthesize iron-oxy(ferrihydrite) biominerals inside large, hollow protein nanocages (10-12 nm, ∼480 000 g/mol); the iron biominerals are metabolic iron concentrates for iron protein biosyntheses. Protein cages of 12- or 24-folded ferritin subunits (4-α-helix polypeptide bundles) self-assemble, experimentally. Ferritin biomineral structures differ among animals and plants or bacteria. The basic ferritin mineral structure is ferrihydrite (Fe2O3·H2O) with either low phosphate in the highly ordered animal ferritin biominerals, Fe/PO4 ∼ 8:1, or Fe/PO4 ∼ 1:1 in the more amorphous ferritin biominerals of plants and bacteria. While different ferritin environments, plant bacterial-like plastid organelles and animal cytoplasm, might explain ferritin biomineral differences, investigation is required. Currently, the physiological significance of plant-specific and animal-specific ferritin iron minerals is unknown. The iron content of ferritin in living tissues ranges from zero in "apoferritin" to as high as ∼4500 iron atoms. Ferritin biomineralization begins with the reaction of Fe(2+) with O2 at ferritin enzyme (Fe(2+)/O oxidoreductase) sites. The product of ferritin enzyme activity, diferric oxy complexes, is also the precursor of ferritin biomineral. Concentrations of Fe(3+) equivalent to 2.0 × 10(-1) M are maintained in ferritin solutions, contrasting with the Fe(3+) Ks ∼ 10(-18) M. Iron ions move into, through, and out of ferritin protein cages in structural subdomains containing conserved amino acids. Cage subdomains include (1) ion channels for Fe(2+) entry/exit, (2) enzyme (oxidoreductase) site for coupling Fe(2+) and O yielding diferric oxy biomineral precursors, and (3) ferric oxy nucleation channels, where diferric oxy products from up to three enzyme sites interact while moving toward the central, biomineral growth cavity (12 nm diameter) where ferric oxy species, now 48-mers, grow in ferric oxy biomineral. High ferritin protein cage symmetry (3-fold and 4-fold axes) and amino acid conservation coincide with function, shown by amino acid substitution effects. 3-Fold symmetry axes control Fe(2+) entry (enzyme catalysis of Fe(2+)/O2 oxidoreduction) and Fe(2+) exit (reductive ferritin mineral dissolution); 3-fold symmetry axes influence Fe(2+)exit from dissolved mineral; bacterial ferritins diverge slightly in Fe/O2 reaction mechanisms and intracage paths of iron-oxy complexes. Biosynthesis rates of ferritin protein change with Fe(2+) and O2 concentrations, dependent on DNA-binding, and heme binding protein, Bach 1. Increased cellular O2 indirectly stabilizes ferritin DNA/Bach 1 interactions. Heme, Fe-protoporphyrin IX, decreases ferritin DNA-Bach 1 binding, causing increased ferritin mRNA biosynthesis (transcription). Direct Fe(2+) binding to ferritin mRNA decreases binding of an inhibitory protein, IRP, causing increased ferritin mRNA translation (protein biosynthesis). Newly synthesized ferritin protein consumes Fe(2+) in biomineral, decreasing Fe(2)(+) and creating a regulatory feedback loop. Ferritin without iron is "apoferritin". Iron removal from ferritin, experimentally, uses biological reductants, for example, NADH + FMN, or chemical reductants, for example, thioglycolic acid, with Fe(2+) chelators; physiological mechanism(s) are murky. Clear, however, is the necessity of ferritin for terrestrial life by conferring oxidant protection (plants, animals, and bacteria), virulence (bacteria), and embryonic survival (mammals). Future studies of ferritin structure/function and Fe(2+)/O2 chemistry will lead to new ferritin uses in medicine, nutrition, and nanochemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C. Theil
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California 94609, United States
- Department of Structural
and Molecular Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7313, United States
| | - Takehiko Tosha
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California 94609, United States
- Department of Structural
and Molecular Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7313, United States
| | - Rabindra K. Behera
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California 94609, United States
- Department of Structural
and Molecular Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7313, United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zeth K, Hoiczyk E, Okuda M. Ferroxidase-Mediated Iron Oxide Biomineralization: Novel Pathways to Multifunctional Nanoparticles. Trends Biochem Sci 2016; 41:190-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Revised: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
14
|
Bernacchioni C, Ghini V, Theil EC, Turano P. Modulating the permeability of ferritin channels. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra25056k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electric field gradients across the C3 and C4 ferritin channels controls the directional Fe2+fluxes towards the catalytic ferroxidase center.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C. Bernacchioni
- CERM
- University of Florence
- 50019 Sesto Fiorentino
- Italy
- Department of Chemistry
| | - V. Ghini
- CERM
- University of Florence
- 50019 Sesto Fiorentino
- Italy
- Department of Chemistry
| | - E. C. Theil
- Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute
- Oakland
- USA
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry
- North Carolina State University
| | - P. Turano
- CERM
- University of Florence
- 50019 Sesto Fiorentino
- Italy
- Department of Chemistry
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Spa SJ, Bunschoten A, Rood MTM, Peters RJB, Koster AJ, van Leeuwen FWB. Orthogonal Functionalization of Ferritin via Supramolecular Re‐Assembly. Eur J Inorg Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201500386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia J. Spa
- Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands, http://www.interventionalmolecularimaging.com
| | - Anton Bunschoten
- Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands, http://www.interventionalmolecularimaging.com
| | - Marcus T. M. Rood
- Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands, http://www.interventionalmolecularimaging.com
| | - Ruud J. B. Peters
- RIKILT‐BU Contaminants and Toxins, Wageningen University, 6708 WB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Abraham J. Koster
- Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fijs W. B. van Leeuwen
- Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands, http://www.interventionalmolecularimaging.com
- Laboratory of Bio Nano Technology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bernacchioni C, Ciambellotti S, Theil EC, Turano P. Is His54 a gating residue for the ferritin ferroxidase site? BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2015; 1854:1118-22. [PMID: 25727028 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2015.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Ferritin is a ubiquitous iron concentrating nanocage protein that functions through the enzymatic oxidation of ferrous iron and the reversible synthesis of a caged ferric-oxo biomineral. Among vertebrate ferritins, the bullfrog M homopolymer ferritin is a frequent model for analyzing the role of specific amino acids in the enzymatic reaction and translocation of iron species within the protein cage. X-ray crystal structures of ferritin in the presence of metal ions have revealed His54 binding to iron(II) and other divalent cations, with its imidazole ring proposed as "gate" that influences iron movement to/from the active site. To investigate its role, His54 was mutated to Ala. The H54A ferritin variant was expressed and its reactivity studied via UV-vis stopped-flow kinetics. The H54A variant exhibited a 20% increase in the initial reaction rate of formation of ferric products with 2 or 4 Fe²⁺/subunit and higher than 200% with 20 Fe²⁺/subunit. The possible meaning of the increased efficiency of the ferritin reaction induced by this mutation is proposed taking advantage of the comparative sequence analysis of other ferritins. The data here reported are consistent with a role for His54 as a metal ion trap that maintains the correct levels of access of iron to the active site. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cofactor-dependent proteins: evolution, chemical diversity and bio-applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Bernacchioni
- Magnetic Resonance Center CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy; Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Ciambellotti
- Magnetic Resonance Center CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy; Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Elizabeth C Theil
- Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, 5700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Oakland, CA 94609, USA; Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 29695-7622, USA
| | - Paola Turano
- Magnetic Resonance Center CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy; Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Honarmand Ebrahimi K, Hagedoorn PL, Hagen WR. Unity in the Biochemistry of the Iron-Storage Proteins Ferritin and Bacterioferritin. Chem Rev 2014; 115:295-326. [DOI: 10.1021/cr5004908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Honarmand Ebrahimi
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628
BC Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Peter-Leon Hagedoorn
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628
BC Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfred R. Hagen
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628
BC Delft, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|