1
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Tan HN, Liu WQ, Ho J, Chen YJ, Shieh FJ, Liao HT, Wang SP, Hegemann JD, Chang CY, Chu J. Structure Prediction and Protein Engineering Yield New Insights into Microcin J25 Precursor Recognition. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:1982-1990. [PMID: 39163642 PMCID: PMC11420955 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Microcin J25 (MccJ25), a lasso peptide antibiotic with a unique structure that resembles the lariat knot, has been a topic of intense interest since its discovery in 1992. The precursor (McjA) contains a leader and a core segment. McjB is a protease activated upon binding to the leader, and McjC converts the core segment into the mature MccJ25. Previous studies suggested that these biosynthetic steps likely proceed in a (nearly) concerted fashion; however, there is only limited information regarding the structural and molecular intricacies of MccJ25 biosynthesis. To close this knowledge gap, we used AlphaFold2 to predict the structure of the precursor (McjA) in complex with its biosynthetic enzymes (McjB and McjC) and queried the critical predicted features by protein engineering. Based on the predicted structure, we designed protein variants to show that McjB can still be functional and form a proficient biosynthetic complex with McjC when its recognition and protease domains were circularly permutated or split into separate proteins. Specific residues important for McjA recognition were also identified, which permitted us to pinpoint a compensatory mutation (McjBM108T) to restore McjA/McjB interaction that rescued an otherwise nearly nonproductive precursor variant (McjAT-2M). Studies of McjA, McjB, and McjC have long been mired by them being extremely difficult to handle experimentally, and our results suggest that the AF2 predicted ternary complex structure may serve as a reasonable starting point for understanding MccJ25 biosynthesis. The prediction-validation workflow presented herein combined artificial intelligence and laboratory experiments constructively to gain new insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ni Tan
- Department
of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Qi Liu
- Department
of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Josh Ho
- Department
of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Chen
- Department
of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Jie Shieh
- Department
of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Tzu Liao
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300193, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ping Wang
- Institute
of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115201, Taiwan
| | - Julian D. Hegemann
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Helmholtz Centre for
Infection Research, Saarland
University Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Chin-Yuan Chang
- Department
of Biological Science and Technology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300193, Taiwan
| | - John Chu
- Department
of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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2
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Barrett SE, Yin S, Jordan P, Brunson JK, Gordon-Nunez J, Costa Machado da Cruz G, Rosario C, Okada BK, Anderson K, Pires TA, Wang R, Shukla D, Burk MJ, Mitchell DA. Substrate interactions guide cyclase engineering and lasso peptide diversification. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01727-w. [PMID: 39261643 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01727-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Lasso peptides are a diverse class of naturally occurring, highly stable molecules kinetically trapped in a distinctive [1]rotaxane conformation. How the ATP-dependent lasso cyclase constrains a relatively unstructured substrate peptide into a low entropy product has remained a mystery owing to poor enzyme stability and activity in vitro. In this study, we combined substrate tolerance data with structural predictions, bioinformatic analysis, molecular dynamics simulations and mutational scanning to construct a model for the three-dimensional orientation of the substrate peptide in the lasso cyclase active site. Predicted peptide cyclase molecular contacts were validated by rationally engineering multiple, phylogenetically diverse lasso cyclases to accept substrates rejected by the wild-type enzymes. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of lasso cyclase engineering by robustly producing previously inaccessible variants that tightly bind to integrin αvβ8, which is a primary activator of transforming growth factor β and, thus, an important anti-cancer target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna E Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Song Yin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Thomas A Pires
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ruoyang Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Diwakar Shukla
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Douglas A Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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3
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Barrett SE, Mitchell DA. Advances in lasso peptide discovery, biosynthesis, and function. Trends Genet 2024:S0168-9525(24)00179-3. [PMID: 39218755 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Lasso peptides are a large and sequence-diverse class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) natural products characterized by their slip knot-like shape. These unique, highly stable peptides are produced by bacteria for various purposes. Their stability and sequence diversity make them a potentially useful scaffold for biomedically relevant folded peptides. However, many questions remain about lasso peptide biosynthesis, ecological function, and diversification potential for biomedical and agricultural applications. This review discusses new insights and open questions about lasso peptide biosynthesis and biological function. The role that genome mining has played in the development of new methodologies for discovering and diversifying lasso peptides is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna E Barrett
- Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Douglas A Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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4
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Park H, Jin H, Kim D, Lee J. Cell-Free Systems: Ideal Platforms for Accelerating the Discovery and Production of Peptide-Based Antibiotics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9109. [PMID: 39201795 PMCID: PMC11354240 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25169109] [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: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based antibiotics (PBAs), including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic mimics, have received significant interest due to their diverse and unique bioactivities. The integration of high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics tools has dramatically enhanced the discovery of enzymes, allowing researchers to identify specific genes and metabolic pathways responsible for producing novel PBAs more precisely. Cell-free systems (CFSs) that allow precise control over transcription and translation in vitro are being adapted, which accelerate the identification, characterization, selection, and production of novel PBAs. Furthermore, these platforms offer an ideal solution for overcoming the limitations of small-molecule antibiotics, which often lack efficacy against a broad spectrum of pathogens and contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance. In this review, we highlight recent examples of how CFSs streamline these processes while expanding our ability to access new antimicrobial agents that are effective against antibiotic-resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeongwoo Park
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea;
| | - Haneul Jin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea; (H.J.); (D.K.)
| | - Dayeong Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea; (H.J.); (D.K.)
| | - Joongoo Lee
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea; (H.J.); (D.K.)
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5
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Schiefelbein K, Lang J, Schuster M, Grigglestone CE, Striga R, Bigler L, Schuman MC, Zerbe O, Li Y, Hartrampf N. Merging Flow Synthesis and Enzymatic Maturation to Expand the Chemical Space of Lasso Peptides. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:17261-17269. [PMID: 38759637 PMCID: PMC11212047 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Many peptidic natural products, such as lasso peptides, cyclic peptides, and cyclotides, are conformationally constrained and show biological stability, making them attractive scaffolds for drug development. Although many peptides can be synthesized and modified through chemical methods, knot-like lasso peptides such as microcin J25 (MccJ25) and their analogues remain elusive. As the chemical space of MccJ25 analogues accessible through purely biological methods is also limited, we proposed a hybrid approach: flow-based chemical synthesis of non-natural precursor peptides, followed by in vitro transformation with recombinant maturation enzymes, to yield a more diverse array of lasso peptides. Herein, we established the rapid, flow-based synthesis of chemically modified MccJ25 precursor peptides (57 amino acids). Heterologous expression of enzymes McjB and McjC was extensively optimized to improve yields and facilitate the synthesis of multiple analogues of MccJ25, including the incorporation of non-canonical tyrosine and histidine derivatives into the lasso scaffold. Finally, using our chemoenzymatic strategy, we produced a biologically active analogue containing three d-amino acids in the loop region and incorporated backbone N-methylations. Our method provides rapid access to chemically modified lasso peptides that could be used to investigate structure-activity relationships, epitope grafting, and the improvement of therapeutic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Schiefelbein
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Lang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department
of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schuster
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Claire E. Grigglestone
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robin Striga
- Laboratory
Molecules of Communication and Adaptation of Microorganisms (MCAM).
UMR7245, CNRS-Muséum National d’Histoire
Naturelle (MNHN), Alliance Sorbonne Université, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Laurent Bigler
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Meredith C. Schuman
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department
of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Zerbe
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yanyan Li
- Laboratory
Molecules of Communication and Adaptation of Microorganisms (MCAM).
UMR7245, CNRS-Muséum National d’Histoire
Naturelle (MNHN), Alliance Sorbonne Université, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Nina Hartrampf
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Liu WQ, Ji X, Ba F, Zhang Y, Xu H, Huang S, Zheng X, Liu Y, Ling S, Jewett MC, Li J. Cell-free biosynthesis and engineering of ribosomally synthesized lanthipeptides. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4336. [PMID: 38773100 PMCID: PMC11109155 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48726-y] [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: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a major class of natural products with diverse chemical structures and potent biological activities. A vast majority of RiPP gene clusters remain unexplored in microbial genomes, which is partially due to the lack of rapid and efficient heterologous expression systems for RiPP characterization and biosynthesis. Here, we report a unified biocatalysis (UniBioCat) system based on cell-free gene expression for rapid biosynthesis and engineering of RiPPs. We demonstrate UniBioCat by reconstituting a full biosynthetic pathway for de novo biosynthesis of salivaricin B, a lanthipeptide RiPP. Next, we delete several protease/peptidase genes from the source strain to enhance the performance of UniBioCat, which then can synthesize and screen salivaricin B variants with enhanced antimicrobial activity. Finally, we show that UniBioCat is generalizable by synthesizing and evaluating the bioactivity of ten uncharacterized lanthipeptides. We expect UniBioCat to accelerate the discovery, characterization, and synthesis of RiPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Qiu Liu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyang Ji
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Ba
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufei Zhang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiling Xu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuhui Huang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Zheng
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Liu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shengjie Ling
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, China.
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, US.
| | - Jian Li
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, China.
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7
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da Hora GCA, Oh M, Nguyen JDM, Swanson JMJ. One Descriptor to Fold Them All: Harnessing Intuition and Machine Learning to Identify Transferable Lasso Peptide Reaction Coordinates. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:4063-4075. [PMID: 38568862 PMCID: PMC11282586 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c08492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Identifying optimal reaction coordinates for complex conformational changes and protein folding remains an outstanding challenge. This study combines collective variable (CV) discovery based on chemical intuition and machine learning with enhanced sampling to converge the folding free energy landscape of lasso peptides, a unique class of natural products with knot-like tertiary structures. This knotted scaffold imparts remarkable stability, making lasso peptides resistant to proteolytic degradation, thermal denaturation, and extreme pH conditions. Although their direct synthesis would enable therapeutic design, it has not yet been possible due to the improbable occurrence of spontaneous lasso folding. Thus, simulations characterizing the folding propensity are needed to identify strategies for increasing access to the lasso architecture by stabilizing the pre-lasso ensemble before isopeptide bond formation. Herein, harmonic linear discriminant analysis (HLDA) is combined with metadynamics-enhanced sampling to discover CVs capable of distinguishing the pre-lasso fold and converging the folding propensity. Intuitive CVs are compared to iterative rounds of HLDA to identify CVs that not only accomplish these goals for one lasso peptide but also seem to be transferable to others, establishing a protocol for the identification of folding reaction coordinates for lasso peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C A da Hora
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Myongin Oh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - John D M Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Jessica M J Swanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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8
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Harris LA, Saad H, Shelton K, Zhu L, Guo X, Mitchell DA. Tryptophan-Centric Bioinformatics Identifies New Lasso Peptide Modifications. Biochemistry 2024; 63:865-879. [PMID: 38498885 PMCID: PMC11197979 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Lasso peptides are a class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) defined by a macrolactam linkage between the N-terminus and the side chain of an internal aspartic acid or glutamic acid residue. Instead of adopting a branched-cyclic conformation, lasso peptides are "threaded", with the C-terminal tail passing through the macrocycle to present a kinetically trapped rotaxane conformation. The availability of enhanced bioinformatics methods has led to a significant increase in the number of secondary modifications found on lasso peptides. To uncover new ancillary modifications in a targeted manner, a bioinformatic strategy was developed to discover lasso peptides with modifications to tryptophan. This effort identified numerous putative lasso peptide biosynthetic gene clusters with core regions of the precursor peptides enriched in tryptophan. Parsing of these tryptophan (Trp)-rich biosynthetic gene clusters uncovered several putative ancillary modifying enzymes, including halogenases and dimethylallyltransferases expected to act upon Trp. Characterization of two gene products yielded a lasso peptide with two 5-Cl-Trp modifications (chlorolassin) and another bearing 5-dimethylallyl-Trp and 2,3-didehydro-Tyr modifications (wygwalassin). Bioinformatic analysis of the requisite halogenase and dimethylallyltransferase revealed numerous other putative Trp-modified lasso peptides that remain uncharacterized. We anticipate that the Trp-centric strategy reported herein may be useful in discovering ancillary modifications for other RiPP classes and, more generally, guide the functional prediction of enzymes that act on specific amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonnie A. Harris
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Hamada Saad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Kyle Shelton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Lingyang Zhu
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Xiaorui Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Douglas A. Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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9
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Pelton JM, Hochuli JE, Sadecki PW, Katoh T, Suga H, Hicks LM, Muratov EN, Tropsha A, Bowers AA. Cheminformatics-Guided Cell-Free Exploration of Peptide Natural Products. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8016-8030. [PMID: 38470819 PMCID: PMC11151186 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
There have been significant advances in the flexibility and power of in vitro cell-free translation systems. The increasing ability to incorporate noncanonical amino acids and complement translation with recombinant enzymes has enabled cell-free production of peptide-based natural products (NPs) and NP-like molecules. We anticipate that many more such compounds and analogs might be accessed in this way. To assess the peptide NP space that is directly accessible to current cell-free technologies, we developed a peptide parsing algorithm that breaks down peptide NPs into building blocks based on ribosomal translation logic. Using the resultant data set, we broadly analyze the biophysical properties of these privileged compounds and perform a retrobiosynthetic analysis to predict which peptide NPs could be directly synthesized in augmented cell-free translation reactions. We then tested these predictions by preparing a library of highly modified peptide NPs. Two macrocyclases, PatG and PCY1, were used to effect the head-to-tail macrocyclization of candidate NPs. This retrobiosynthetic analysis identified a collection of high-priority building blocks that are enriched throughout peptide NPs, yet they had not previously been tested in cell-free translation. To expand the cell-free toolbox into this space, we established, optimized, and characterized the flexizyme-enabled ribosomal incorporation of piperazic acids. Overall, these results demonstrate the feasibility of cell-free translation for peptide NP total synthesis while expanding the limits of the technology. This work provides a novel computational tool for exploration of peptide NP chemical space, that could be expanded in the future to allow design of ribosomal biosynthetic pathways for NPs and NP-like molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrett M. Pelton
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Joshua E. Hochuli
- Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Patric W. Sadecki
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Takayuki Katoh
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Leslie M. Hicks
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Eugene N. Muratov
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alexander Tropsha
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Albert A. Bowers
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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10
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da Hora GCA, Oh M, Mifflin MC, Digal L, Roberts AG, Swanson JMJ. Lasso Peptides: Exploring the Folding Landscape of Nature's Smallest Interlocked Motifs. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4444-4454. [PMID: 38166378 PMCID: PMC11282585 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Lasso peptides make up a class of natural products characterized by a threaded structure. Given their small size and stability, chemical synthesis would offer tremendous potential for the development of novel therapeutics. However, the accessibility of the pre-folded lasso architecture has limited this advance. To better understand the folding process de novo, simulations are used herein to characterize the folding propensity of microcin J25 (MccJ25), a lasso peptide known for its antimicrobial properties. New algorithms are developed to unambiguously distinguish threaded from nonthreaded precursors and determine handedness, a key feature in natural lasso peptides. We find that MccJ25 indeed forms right-handed pre-lassos, in contrast to past predictions but consistent with all natural lasso peptides. Additionally, the native pre-lasso structure is shown to be metastable prior to ring formation but to readily transition to entropically favored unfolded and nonthreaded structures, suggesting that de novo lasso folding is rare. However, by altering the ring forming residues and appending thiol and thioester functionalities, we are able to increase the stability of pre-lasso conformations. Furthermore, conditions leading to protonation of a histidine imidazole side chain further stabilize the modified pre-lasso ensemble. This work highlights the use of computational methods to characterize lasso folding and demonstrates that de novo access to lasso structures can be facilitated by optimizing sequence, unnatural modifications, and reaction conditions like pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C A da Hora
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Myongin Oh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Marcus C Mifflin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Lori Digal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Andrew G Roberts
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Jessica M J Swanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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11
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Eslami SM, van der Donk WA. Proteases Involved in Leader Peptide Removal during RiPP Biosynthesis. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2024; 4:20-36. [PMID: 38404746 PMCID: PMC10885120 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.3c00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) have received much attention in recent years because of their promising bioactivities and the portability of their biosynthetic pathways. Heterologous expression studies of RiPP biosynthetic enzymes identified by genome mining often leave a leader peptide on the final product to prevent toxicity to the host and to allow the attachment of a genetically encoded affinity purification tag. Removal of the leader peptide to produce the mature natural product is then carried out in vitro with either a commercial protease or a protease that fulfills this task in the producing organism. This review covers the advances in characterizing these latter cognate proteases from bacterial RiPPs and their utility as sequence-dependent proteases. The strategies employed for leader peptide removal have been shown to be remarkably diverse. They include one-step removal by a single protease, two-step removal by two dedicated proteases, and endoproteinase activity followed by aminopeptidase activity by the same protease. Similarly, the localization of the proteolytic step varies from cytoplasmic cleavage to leader peptide removal during secretion to extracellular leader peptide removal. Finally, substrate recognition ranges from highly sequence specific with respect to the leader and/or modified core peptide to nonsequence specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Eslami
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Wilfred A. van der Donk
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Howard
Hughes Medical Institute, University of
Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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12
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Li H, Ding W, Zhang Q. Discovery and engineering of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) natural products. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:90-108. [PMID: 38333193 PMCID: PMC10849128 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00172e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) represent a diverse superfamily of natural products with immense potential for drug development. This review provides a concise overview of the recent advances in the discovery of RiPP natural products, focusing on rational strategies such as bioactivity guided screening, enzyme or precursor-based genome mining, and biosynthetic engineering. The challenges associated with activating silent biosynthetic gene clusters and the development of elaborate catalytic systems are also discussed. The logical frameworks emerging from these research studies offer valuable insights into RiPP biosynthesis and engineering, paving the way for broader pharmaceutic applications of these peptide natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Wei Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
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13
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Cha Y, Kim W, Park Y, Kim M, Son Y, Park W. Antagonistic actions of Paucibacter aquatile B51 and its lasso peptide paucinodin toward cyanobacterial bloom-forming Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:152-169. [PMID: 38073162 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Superior antagonistic activity against axenic Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 was observed with Paucibacter sp. B51 isolated from cyanobacterial bloom samples among 43 tested freshwater bacterial species. Complete genome sequencing, analyzing average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization, designated the B51 strain as Paucibacter aquatile. Electron and fluorescence microscopic image analyses revealed the presence of the B51 strain in the vicinity of M. aeruginosa cells, which might provoke direct inhibition of the photosynthetic activity of the PCC7806 cells, leading to perturbation of cellular metabolisms and consequent cell death. Our speculation was supported by the findings that growth failure of the PCC7806 cells led to low pH conditions with fewer chlorophylls and down-regulation of photosystem genes (e.g., psbD and psaB) during their 48-h co-culture condition. Interestingly, the concentrated ethyl acetate extracts obtained from B51-grown supernatant exhibited a growth-inhibitory effect on PCC7806. The physical separation of both strains by a filter system led to no inhibitory activity of the B51 cells, suggesting that contact-mediated anti-cyanobacterial compounds might also be responsible for hampering the growth of the PCC7806 cells. Bioinformatic tools identified 12 gene clusters that possibly produce secondary metabolites, including a class II lasso peptide in the B51 genome. Further chemical analysis demonstrated anti-cyanobacterial activity from fractionated samples having a rubrivinodin-like lasso peptide, named paucinodin. Taken together, both contact-mediated inhibition of photosynthesis and the lasso peptide secretion of the B51 strain are responsible for the anti-cyanobacterial activity of P. aquatile B51.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeji Cha
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonjae Kim
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yerim Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyung Kim
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjun Son
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woojun Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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14
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Digal L, Samson SC, Stevens MA, Ghorai A, Kim H, Mifflin MC, Carney KR, Williamson DL, Um S, Nagy G, Oh DC, Mendoza MC, Roberts AG. Nonthreaded Isomers of Sungsanpin and Ulleungdin Lasso Peptides Inhibit H1299 Cancer Cell Migration. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:81-88. [PMID: 38109560 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Lasso peptides are a structurally distinct class of biologically active natural products defined by their short sequences with impressively interlocked tertiary structures. Their characteristic peptide [1]rotaxane motif confers marked proteolytic and thermal resiliency, and reports on their diverse biological functions have been credited to their exceptional sequence variability. Because of these unique properties, taken together with improved technologies for their biosynthetic production, lasso peptides are emerging as a designable scaffold for peptide-based therapeutic discovery and development. Although the defined structure of lasso peptides is recognized for its remarkable properties, the role of the motif in imparting bioactivity is less understood. For example, sungsanpin and ulleungdin are natural lasso peptides that similarly exhibit encouraging cell migration inhibitory activities in A549 lung carcinoma epithelial cells, despite sharing only one-third of the sequence homology. We hypothesized that the shape of the lasso motif is beneficial for the preorganization of the conserved residues, which might be partially retained in variants lacking the threaded structure. Herein, we describe solid-phase peptide synthesis strategies to prepare acyclic, head-to-side chain (branched), and head-to-tail (macrocyclic) cyclic variants based on the sungsanpin (Sun) and ulleungdin (Uln) sequences. Proliferation assays and time-lapse cell motility imaging studies were used to evaluate the cell inhibitory properties of natural Sun compared with the synthetic Sun and Uln isomers. These studies demonstrate that the lasso motif is not a required feature to slow cancer cell migration and more generally show that these nonthreaded isomers can retain similar activity to the natural lasso peptide despite the differences in their overall structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Digal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Shiela C Samson
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Mark A Stevens
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Abhijit Ghorai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Hyungyu Kim
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Marcus C Mifflin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Keith R Carney
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - David L Williamson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Soohyun Um
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yonsei University, 85 Songdogwahak-ro, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea
| | - Gabe Nagy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Dong-Chan Oh
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Michelle C Mendoza
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Andrew G Roberts
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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15
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Fernandez HN, Kretsch AM, Kunakom S, Kadjo AE, Mitchell DA, Eustáquio AS. High-Yield Lasso Peptide Production in a Burkholderia Bacterial Host by Plasmid Copy Number Engineering. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:337-350. [PMID: 38194362 PMCID: PMC10947786 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00597] [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: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The knotted configuration of lasso peptides confers thermal stability and proteolytic resistance, addressing two shortcomings of peptide-based drugs. However, low isolation yields hinder the discovery and development of lasso peptides. While testing Burkholderia sp. FERM BP-3421 as a bacterial host to produce the lasso peptide capistruin, an overproducer clone was previously identified. In this study, we show that an increase in the plasmid copy number partially contributed to the overproducer phenotype. Further, we modulated the plasmid copy number to recapitulate titers to an average of 160% relative to the overproducer, which is 1000-fold higher than previously reported with E. coli, reaching up to 240 mg/L. To probe the applicability of the developed tools for lasso peptide discovery, we targeted a new lasso peptide biosynthetic gene cluster from endosymbiont Mycetohabitans sp. B13, leading to the isolation of mycetolassin-15 and mycetolassin-18 in combined titers of 11 mg/L. These results validate Burkholderia sp. FERM BP-3421 as a production platform for lasso peptide discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah N. Fernandez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Ashley M. Kretsch
- Department of Chemistry and Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sylvia Kunakom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Adjo E. Kadjo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Douglas A. Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry and Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Alessandra S. Eustáquio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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16
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Ramírez-Rendón D, Guzmán-Chávez F, García-Ausencio C, Rodríguez-Sanoja R, Sánchez S. The untapped potential of actinobacterial lanthipeptides as therapeutic agents. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10605-10616. [PMID: 37934370 PMCID: PMC10676316 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08880-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The increase in bacterial resistance generated by the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in medical practice set new challenges for discovering bioactive natural products as alternatives for therapeutics. Lanthipeptides are an attractive natural product group that has been only partially explored and shows engaging biological activities. These molecules are small peptides with potential application as therapeutic agents. Some members show antibiotic activity against problematic drug-resistant pathogens and against a wide variety of viruses. Nevertheless, their biological activities are not restricted to antimicrobials, as their contribution to the treatment of cystic fibrosis, cancer, pain symptoms, control of inflammation, and blood pressure has been demonstrated. The study of biosynthetic gene clusters through genome mining has contributed to accelerating the discovery, enlargement, and diversification of this group of natural products. In this review, we provide insight into the recent advances in the development and research of actinobacterial lanthipeptides that hold great potential as therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Ramírez-Rendón
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, 04510, Mexico City, México
| | - Fernando Guzmán-Chávez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, 04510, Mexico City, México
| | - Carlos García-Ausencio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, 04510, Mexico City, México
| | - Romina Rodríguez-Sanoja
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, 04510, Mexico City, México
| | - Sergio Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, 04510, Mexico City, México.
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17
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Chang JS, Vinogradov AA, Zhang Y, Goto Y, Suga H. Deep Learning-Driven Library Design for the De Novo Discovery of Bioactive Thiopeptides. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:2150-2160. [PMID: 38033794 PMCID: PMC10683472 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c00957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Broad substrate tolerance of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) biosynthetic enzymes has allowed numerous strategies for RiPP engineering. However, despite relaxed specificities, exact substrate preferences of RiPP enzymes are often difficult to pinpoint. Thus, when designing combinatorial libraries of RiPP precursors, balancing the compound diversity with the substrate fitness can be challenging. Here, we employed a deep learning model to streamline the design of mRNA display libraries. Using an in vitro reconstituted thiopeptide biosynthesis platform, we performed mRNA display-based profiling of substrate fitness for the biosynthetic pathway involving five enzymes to train an accurate deep learning model. We then utilized the model to design optimal mRNA libraries and demonstrated their utility in affinity selections against IRAK4 kinase and the TLR10 cell surface receptor. The selections led to the discovery of potent thiopeptide ligands against both target proteins (KD up to 1.3 nM for the best compound against IRAK4 and 300 nM for TLR10). The IRAK4-targeting compounds also inhibited the kinase at single-digit μM concentrations in vitro, exhibited efficient internalization into HEK293H cells, and suppressed NF-kB-mediated signaling in cells. Altogether, the developed approach streamlines the discovery of pseudonatural RiPPs with de novo designed biological activities and favorable pharmacological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Shi Chang
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Alexander A. Vinogradov
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuki Goto
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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18
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Rosenzweig AF, Burian J, Brady SF. Present and future outlooks on environmental DNA-based methods for antibiotic discovery. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 75:102335. [PMID: 37327680 PMCID: PMC11076179 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Novel antibiotics are in constant demand to combat a global increase in antibiotic-resistant infections. Bacterial natural products have been a long-standing source of antibiotic compounds, and metagenomic mining of environmental DNA (eDNA) has increasingly provided new antibiotic leads. The metagenomic small-molecule discovery pipeline can be divided into three main steps: surveying eDNA, retrieving a sequence of interest, and accessing the encoded natural product. Improvements in sequencing technology, bioinformatic algorithms, and methods for converting biosynthetic gene clusters into small molecules are steadily increasing our ability to discover metagenomically encoded antibiotics. We predict that, over the next decade, ongoing technological improvements will dramatically increase the rate at which antibiotics are discovered from metagenomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam F Rosenzweig
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ján Burian
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sean F Brady
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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19
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Lopatniuk M, Riedel F, Wildfeuer J, Stierhof M, Dahlem C, Kiemer AK, Luzhetskyy A. Development of a Streptomyces-based system for facile thioholgamide library generation and analysis. Metab Eng 2023; 78:48-60. [PMID: 37142115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Derivatizing natural products (NPs) is essential in structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, compound optimization, and drug development. Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) represent one of the major classes of natural products. Thioholgamide represents thioamitide - a recently emerged family of RiPPs with unique structures and great potential in anticancer drug development. Although the method for generating the RiPP library by codon substitutions in the precursor peptide gene is straightforward, the techniques to perform RiPP derivatization in Actinobacteria remain limited and time-consuming. Here, we report a facile system for producing a library of randomized thioholgamide derivatives utilizing an optimized Streptomyces host. This technique enabled us to access all possible amino acid substitutions of the thioholgamide molecule, one position at a time. Out of 152 potential derivatives, 85 were successfully detected, revealing the impact of amino acid substitutions on thioholgamide post-translational modifications (PTMs). Moreover, new PTMs were observed among thioholgamide derivatives: thiazoline heterocycles, which have not yet been reported for thioamitides, and S-methylmethionine, which is very rare in nature. The obtained library was subsequently used for thioholgamide SAR studies and stability assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lopatniuk
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Florian Riedel
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Julia Wildfeuer
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marc Stierhof
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Charlotte Dahlem
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Alexandra K Kiemer
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Andriy Luzhetskyy
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
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20
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Zhao N, Song Y, Xie X, Zhu Z, Duan C, Nong C, Wang H, Bao R. Synthetic biology-inspired cell engineering in diagnosis, treatment, and drug development. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:112. [PMID: 36906608 PMCID: PMC10007681 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01375-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The fast-developing synthetic biology (SB) has provided many genetic tools to reprogram and engineer cells for improved performance, novel functions, and diverse applications. Such cell engineering resources can play a critical role in the research and development of novel therapeutics. However, there are certain limitations and challenges in applying genetically engineered cells in clinical practice. This literature review updates the recent advances in biomedical applications, including diagnosis, treatment, and drug development, of SB-inspired cell engineering. It describes technologies and relevant examples in a clinical and experimental setup that may significantly impact the biomedicine field. At last, this review concludes the results with future directions to optimize the performances of synthetic gene circuits to regulate the therapeutic activities of cell-based tools in specific diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninglin Zhao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingjie Song
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiangqian Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziqi Zhu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenxi Duan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Nong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Rui Bao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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21
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Moore SJ, Lai HE, Li J, Freemont PS. Streptomyces cell-free systems for natural product discovery and engineering. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:228-236. [PMID: 36341536 PMCID: PMC9945932 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00057a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Streptomyces bacteria are a major microbial source of natural products, which are encoded within so-called biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). This highlight discusses the emergence of native Streptomyces cell-free systems as a new tool to accelerate the study of the fundamental chemistry and biology of natural product biosynthesis from these bacteria. Cell-free systems provide a prototyping platform to study plug-and-play reactions in microscale reactions. So far, Streptomyces cell-free systems have been used to rapidly characterise gene expression regulation, access secondary metabolite biosynthetic enzymes, and catalyse cell-free transcription, translation, and biosynthesis of example natural products. With further progress, we anticipate the development of more complex systems to complement existing experimental tools for the discovery and engineering of natural product biosynthesis from Streptomyces and related high G + C (%) bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Moore
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, UK
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
| | - Hung-En Lai
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jian Li
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, China
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22
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Kretsch AM, Gadgil MG, DiCaprio AJ, Barrett SE, Kille BL, Si Y, Zhu L, Mitchell DA. Peptidase Activation by a Leader Peptide-Bound RiPP Recognition Element. Biochemistry 2023; 62:956-967. [PMID: 36734655 PMCID: PMC10126823 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The RiPP precursor recognition element (RRE) is a conserved domain found in many prokaryotic ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). RREs bind with high specificity and affinity to a recognition sequence within the N-terminal leader region of RiPP precursor peptides. Lasso peptide biosynthesis involves an RRE-dependent leader peptidase, which is discretely encoded or fused to the RRE as a di-domain protein. Here we leveraged thousands of predicted BGCs to define the RRE:leader peptidase interaction through evolutionary covariance analysis. Each interacting domain contributes a three-stranded β-sheet to form a hydrophobic β-sandwich-like interface. The bioinformatics-guided predictions were experimentally confirmed using proteins from discrete and fused lasso peptide BGC architectures. Support for the domain-domain interface derived from chemical shift perturbation, paramagnetic relaxation enhancement experiments, and rapid variant activity screening using cell-free biosynthesis. Further validation of selected variants was performed with purified proteins. We developed a p-nitroanilide-based leader peptidase assay to illuminate the role of RRE domains. Our data show that RRE domains play a dual function. RRE domains deliver the precursor peptide to the leader peptidase, and the rate is saturable as expected for a substrate. RRE domains also partially compose the elusive S2 proteolytic pocket that binds the penultimate threonine of lasso leader peptides. Because the RRE domain is required to form the active site, leader peptidase activity is greatly diminished when the RRE domain is supplied at substoichiometric levels. Full proteolytic activation requires RRE engagement with the recognition sequence-containing portion of the leader peptide. Together, our observations define a new mechanism for protease activity regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M. Kretsch
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Mayuresh G. Gadgil
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Adam J. DiCaprio
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Susanna E. Barrett
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Bryce L. Kille
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yuanyuan Si
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Lingyang Zhu
- School of Chemical Sciences, NMR Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Douglas A. Mitchell
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
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23
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Cryptic Diversity of Black Band Disease Cyanobacteria in Siderastrea siderea Corals Revealed by Chemical Ecology and Comparative Genome-Resolved Metagenomics. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21020076. [PMID: 36827117 PMCID: PMC9967302 DOI: 10.3390/md21020076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Black band disease is a globally distributed and easily recognizable coral disease. Despite years of study, the etiology of this coral disease, which impacts dozens of stony coral species, is not completely understood. Although black band disease mats are predominantly composed of the cyanobacterial species Roseofilum reptotaenium, other filamentous cyanobacterial strains and bacterial heterotrophs are readily detected. Through chemical ecology and metagenomic sequencing, we uncovered cryptic strains of Roseofilum species from Siderastrea siderea corals that differ from those on other corals in the Caribbean and Pacific. Isolation of metabolites from Siderastrea-derived Roseofilum revealed the prevalence of unique forms of looekeyolides, distinct from previously characterized Roseofilum reptotaenium strains. In addition, comparative genomics of Roseofilum strains showed that only Siderastrea-based Roseofilum strains have the genetic capacity to produce lasso peptides, a family of compounds with diverse biological activity. All nine Roseofilum strains examined here shared the genetic capacity to produce looekeyolides and malyngamides, suggesting these compounds support the ecology of this genus. Similar biosynthetic gene clusters are not found in other cyanobacterial genera associated with black band disease, which may suggest that looekeyolides and malyngamides contribute to disease etiology through yet unknown mechanisms.
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24
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Mordhorst S, Ruijne F, Vagstad AL, Kuipers OP, Piel J. Emulating nonribosomal peptides with ribosomal biosynthetic strategies. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:7-36. [PMID: 36685251 PMCID: PMC9811515 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00169a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide natural products are important lead structures for human drugs and many nonribosomal peptides possess antibiotic activity. This makes them interesting targets for engineering approaches to generate peptide analogues with, for example, increased bioactivities. Nonribosomal peptides are produced by huge mega-enzyme complexes in an assembly-line like manner, and hence, these biosynthetic pathways are challenging to engineer. In the past decade, more and more structural features thought to be unique to nonribosomal peptides were found in ribosomally synthesised and posttranslationally modified peptides as well. These streamlined ribosomal pathways with modifying enzymes that are often promiscuous and with gene-encoded precursor proteins that can be modified easily, offer several advantages to produce designer peptides. This review aims to provide an overview of recent progress in this emerging research area by comparing structural features common to both nonribosomal and ribosomally synthesised and posttranslationally modified peptides in the first part and highlighting synthetic biology strategies for emulating nonribosomal peptides by ribosomal pathway engineering in the second part.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silja Mordhorst
- Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Fleur Ruijne
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Anna L Vagstad
- Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Oscar P Kuipers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Jörn Piel
- Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4 8093 Zürich Switzerland
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25
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Choi YN, Cho N, Lee K, Gwon DA, Lee JW, Lee J. Programmable Synthesis of Biobased Materials Using Cell-Free Systems. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2203433. [PMID: 36108274 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202203433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Motivated by the intricate mechanisms underlying biomolecule syntheses in cells that chemistry is currently unable to mimic, researchers have harnessed biological systems for manufacturing novel materials. Cell-free systems (CFSs) utilizing the bioactivity of transcriptional and translational machineries in vitro are excellent tools that allow supplementation of exogenous materials for production of innovative materials beyond the capability of natural biological systems. Herein, recent studies that have advanced the ability to expand the scope of biobased materials using CFS are summarized and approaches enabling the production of high-value materials, prototyping of genetic parts and modules, and biofunctionalization are discussed. By extending the reach of chemical and enzymatic reactions complementary to cellular materials, CFSs provide new opportunities at the interface of materials science and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Nam Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Namjin Cho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Kanghun Lee
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Ae Gwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Wook Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Joongoo Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
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26
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Du Y, Li L, Zheng Y, Liu J, Gong J, Qiu Z, Li Y, Qiao J, Huo YX. Incorporation of Non-Canonical Amino Acids into Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0161722. [PMID: 36416555 PMCID: PMC9746297 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01617-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern and calls for the development of novel antibiotic agents. Antimicrobial peptides seem to be promising candidates due to their diverse sources, mechanisms of action, and physicochemical characteristics, as well as the relatively low emergence of resistance. The incorporation of noncanonical amino acids into antimicrobial peptides could effectively improve their physicochemical and pharmacological diversity. Recently, various antimicrobial peptides variants with improved or novel properties have been produced by the incorporation of single and multiple distinct noncanonical amino acids. In this review, we summarize strategies for the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids into antimicrobial peptides, as well as their features and suitabilities. Recent applications of noncanonical amino acid incorporation into antimicrobial peptides are also presented. Finally, we discuss the related challenges and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Du
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University (SCU), Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiaheng Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University (SCU), Chengdu, China
| | - Julia Gong
- Marymount High School, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Zekai Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanni Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianjun Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi-Xin Huo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
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27
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Structure and Activity Relationships of the Two-Component Lantibiotic Bicereucin. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:2529-2539. [PMID: 36354217 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Identified from the pathogen Bacillus cereus SJ1, the two-component lantibiotic bicereucin is featured by the presence of a series of nonproteogenic amino acids and exhibits potent synergistic activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, as well as hemolytic activity against mammalian cells. In this study, we performed site-directed mutagenesis on the nonproteogenic amino acids as well as truncation of dehydrobutyrine-rich N-terminal residues and evaluated the effects on both biological activities. We identified that D-Ala21 and D-Ala26 of Bsjα and D-Ala23 and D-Ala28 of Bsjβ play an essential role in the antimicrobial activity, while the N-termini of both peptides are important for both activities. We also determined that the integrity of both subunits is essential for hemolytic activity. Finally, we obtained two variants BsjαtS17A+Bsjβ and BsjαS30A+BsjβT19A, which retained the antimicrobial activity and exhibited greatly decreased hemolytic toxicity. Overall, our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure-activity relationships of bicereucin and insights into the mechanism of action thereof, facilitating the further exploration of the molecular basis of the binding receptor of bicereucin and genome mining of potential novel two-component lantibiotics.
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28
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Vinogradov AA, Zhang Y, Hamada K, Chang JS, Okada C, Nishimura H, Terasaka N, Goto Y, Ogata K, Sengoku T, Onaka H, Suga H. De Novo Discovery of Thiopeptide Pseudo-natural Products Acting as Potent and Selective TNIK Kinase Inhibitors. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:20332-20341. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Vinogradov
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hamada
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Jun Shi Chang
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Chikako Okada
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Nishimura
- Department of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Naohiro Terasaka
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuki Goto
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ogata
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Toru Sengoku
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Onaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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29
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Striving for sustainable biosynthesis: discovery, diversification, and production of antimicrobial drugs in Escherichia coli. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1315-1328. [PMID: 36196987 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
New antimicrobials need to be discovered to fight the advance of multidrug-resistant pathogens. A promising approach is the screening for antimicrobial agents naturally produced by living organisms. As an alternative to studying the native producer, it is possible to use genetically tractable microbes as heterologous hosts to aid the discovery process, facilitate product diversification through genetic engineering, and ultimately enable environmentally friendly production. In this mini-review, we summarize the literature from 2017 to 2022 on the application of Escherichia coli and E. coli-based platforms as versatile and powerful systems for the discovery, characterization, and sustainable production of antimicrobials. We highlight recent developments in high-throughput screening methods and genetic engineering approaches that build on the strengths of E. coli as an expression host and that led to the production of antimicrobial compounds. In the last section, we briefly discuss new techniques that have not been applied to discover or engineer antimicrobials yet, but that may be useful for this application in the future.
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30
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Nguyen DT, Le TT, Rice AJ, Hudson GA, van der Donk WA, Mitchell DA. Accessing Diverse Pyridine-Based Macrocyclic Peptides by a Two-Site Recognition Pathway. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:11263-11269. [PMID: 35713415 PMCID: PMC9247985 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c02824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Macrocyclic peptides are sought-after molecular scaffolds for drug discovery, and new methods to access diverse libraries are of increasing interest. Here, we report the enzymatic synthesis of pyridine-based macrocyclic peptides (pyritides) from linear precursor peptides. Pyritides are a recently described class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) and are related to the long-known thiopeptide natural products. RiPP precursors typically contain an N-terminal leader region that is physically engaged by the biosynthetic proteins that catalyze modification of the C-terminal core region of the precursor peptide. We demonstrate that pyritide-forming enzymes recognize both the leader region and a C-terminal tripeptide motif, with each contributing to site-selective substrate modification. Substitutions in the core region were well-tolerated and facilitated the generation of a wide range of pyritide analogues, with variations in macrocycle sequence and size. A combination of the pyritide biosynthetic pathway with azole-forming enzymes was utilized to generate a thiazole-containing pyritide (historically known as a thiopeptide) with no similarity in sequence and macrocycle size to the naturally encoded pyritides. The broad substrate scope of the pyritide biosynthetic enzymes serves as a future platform for macrocyclic peptide lead discovery and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinh T. Nguyen
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl
R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Howard
Hughes Medical Institute, University of
Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Tung T. Le
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Howard
Hughes Medical Institute, University of
Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Andrew J. Rice
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl
R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Graham A. Hudson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl
R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Wilfred A. van der Donk
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl
R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Howard
Hughes Medical Institute, University of
Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Douglas A. Mitchell
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl
R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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31
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Jew K, Smith PEJ, So B, Kasman J, Oza JP, Black MW. Characterizing and Improving pET Vectors for Cell-free Expression. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:895069. [PMID: 35814024 PMCID: PMC9259831 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.895069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is an in vitro process that enables diverse applications in research, biomanufacturing, point-of-care diagnostics, therapeutics, and education using minimal laboratory equipment and reagents. One of the major limitations of CFPS implementation is its sensitivity to plasmid type. Specifically, plasmid templates based on commonly used vector backbones such as the pET series of bacterial expression vectors result in the inferior production of proteins. To overcome this limitation, we have evaluated the effect of expression cassette elements present in the pET30 vector on protein production across three different CFPS systems: NEBExpress, PURExpress, and CFAI-based E. coli extracts. Through the systematic elimination of genetic elements within the pET30 vector, we have identified elements that are responsible for the poor performance of pET30 vectors in the various CFPS systems. As a result, we demonstrate that through the removal of the lac operator (lacO) and N-terminal tags included in the vector backbone sequence, a pET vector can support high titers of protein expression when using extract-based CFPS systems. This work provides two key advances for the research community: 1) identification of vector sequence elements that affect robust production of proteins; 2) evaluation of expression across three unique CFPS systems including CFAI extracts, NEBexpress, and PURExpress. We anticipate that this work will improve access to CFPS by enabling researchers to choose the correct expression backbone within the context of their preferred expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara Jew
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
| | - Philip E. J. Smith
- Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
| | - Byungcheol So
- Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
| | - Jillian Kasman
- Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
| | - Javin P. Oza
- Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
| | - Michael W. Black
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
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32
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Vinogradov AA, Chang JS, Onaka H, Goto Y, Suga H. Accurate Models of Substrate Preferences of Post-Translational Modification Enzymes from a Combination of mRNA Display and Deep Learning. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:814-824. [PMID: 35756369 PMCID: PMC9228559 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Promiscuous post-translational modification (PTM) enzymes often display nonobvious substrate preferences by acting on diverse yet well-defined sets of peptides and/or proteins. Understanding of substrate fitness landscapes for PTM enzymes is important in many areas of contemporary science, including natural product biosynthesis, molecular biology, and biotechnology. Here, we report an integrated platform for accurate profiling of substrate preferences for PTM enzymes. The platform features (i) a combination of mRNA display with next-generation sequencing as an ultrahigh throughput technique for data acquisition and (ii) deep learning for data analysis. The high accuracy (>0.99 in each of two studies) of the resulting deep learning models enables comprehensive analysis of enzymatic substrate preferences. The models can quantify fitness across sequence space, map modification sites, and identify important amino acids in the substrate. To benchmark the platform, we performed profiling of a Ser dehydratase (LazBF) and a Cys/Ser cyclodehydratase (LazDEF), two enzymes from the lactazole biosynthesis pathway. In both studies, our results point to complex enzymatic preferences, which, particularly for LazBF, cannot be reduced to a set of simple rules. The ability of the constructed models to dissect such complexity suggests that the developed platform can facilitate a wider study of PTM enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Vinogradov
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Jun Shi Chang
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Onaka
- Department
of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
- Collaborative
Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yuki Goto
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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33
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Alfi A, Popov A, Kumar A, Zhang KYJ, Dubiley S, Severinov K, Tagami S. Cell-Free Mutant Analysis Combined with Structure Prediction of a Lasso Peptide Biosynthetic Protease B2. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2022-2028. [PMID: 35674818 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Biochemical and structural analyses of purified proteins are essential for the understanding of their properties. However, many proteins are unstable and difficult to purify, hindering their characterization. The B2 proteins of the lasso peptide biosynthetic pathways are cysteine proteases that cleave precursor peptides during the maturation process. The B2 proteins are poorly soluble, and no experimentally solved structures are available. Here, we performed a rapid semicomprehensive mutational analysis of the B2 protein from the thermophilic actinobacterium, Thermobifida fusca (FusB2), using a cell-free transcription/translation system, and compared the results with the structure prediction by AlphaFold2. Analysis of 34 FusB2 mutants with substitutions of hydrophobic residues confirmed the accuracy of the predicted structure, and revealed a hydrophobic patch on the protein surface, which likely serves as the binding site of the partner protein, FusB1. Our results suggest that the combination of rapid cell-free mutant analyses with precise structure predictions can greatly accelerate structure-function research of proteins for which no structures are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almasul Alfi
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Aleksandr Popov
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo 143025, Russia
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Kam Y J Zhang
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Svetlana Dubiley
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo 143025, Russia.,Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo 143025, Russia.,Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia.,Waksman Institute for Microbiology, 190 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Shunsuke Tagami
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
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34
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Ji X, Liu WQ, Li J. Recent advances in applying cell-free systems for high-value and complex natural product biosynthesis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 67:102142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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35
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Huang Y, Valiante V. Chemical Diversity and Biosynthesis of Drimane-Type Sesquiterpenes in the Fungal Kingdom. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200173. [PMID: 35574818 PMCID: PMC9546479 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Drimane-type sesquiterpenes are a class of compounds produced by a wide range of organisms, initially isolated and characterized in plants. Meanwhile, in the past 20-30 years, a large number of novel structures from many divergent fungi have been elucidated. Recently, the biosynthesis of drimane-type sesquiter-penes and their esters has been explained in two filamentous fungi, namely Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus calidoustus, disclosing the basic biosynthetic principles needed to identify similar pathways in the fungal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Huang
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHans Knöll Institute: Leibniz-Institut fur Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie eV Hans-Knoll-Institut, Biobricks of Microbial Natural Product Syntheses, GERMANY
| | - Vito Valiante
- Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie eV Hans-Knöll-Institut, Biobricks of Microbial Natural Product Syntheses, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 23, 07745, Jena, GERMANY
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36
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Hills E, Woodward TJ, Fields S, Brandsen BM. Comprehensive Mutational Analysis of the Lasso Peptide Klebsidin. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:998-1010. [PMID: 35315272 PMCID: PMC9976627 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to public health, making the development of antibiotics of critical importance. One promising class of potential new antibiotics are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), which include klebsidin, a lasso peptide from Klebsiella pneumoniae that inhibits certain bacterial RNA polymerases. We develop a high-throughput assay based on growth inhibition of Escherichia coli to analyze the mutational tolerance of klebsidin. We transform a library of klebsidin variants into E. coli and use next-generation DNA sequencing to count the frequency of each variant before and after its expression, thereby generating functional scores for 320 of 361 single amino acid changes. We identify multiple positions in the macrocyclic ring and the C-terminal tail region of klebsidin that are intolerant to mutation, as well as positions in the loop region that are highly tolerant to mutation. Characterization of selected peptide variants scored as active reveals that each adopts a threaded lasso conformation; active loop variants applied extracellularly as peptides slow the growth of E. coli and K. pneumoniae. We generate an E. coli strain with a mutation in RNA polymerase that confers resistance to klebsidin and similarly carry out a selection with the klebsidin library. We identify a single variant, klebsidin F9Y, that maintains activity against the resistant E. coli when expressed intracellularly. This finding supports the utility of this method and suggests that comprehensive mutational analysis of lasso peptides can identify unique and potentially improved variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Hills
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Tyler J. Woodward
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, United States
| | - Stanley Fields
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Benjamin M. Brandsen
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, United States,Correspondence: Benjamin M. Brandsen, , ph. 402 280-2153
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Xiu H, Wang M, Fage CD, He Y, Niu X, Han M, Li F, An X, Fan H, Song L, Zheng G, Zhu S, Tong Y. Discovery and Characterization of Rubrinodin Provide Clues into the Evolution of Lasso Peptides. Biochemistry 2022; 61:595-607. [PMID: 35298141 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lasso peptides are unique natural products that comprise a class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides. Their defining three-dimensional structure is a lariat knot, in which the C-terminal tail is threaded through a macrolactam ring formed between the N-terminal amino group and an Asp or Glu side chain (i.e., an isopeptide bond). Recent genome mining strategies have revealed various types of lasso peptide biosynthetic gene clusters and have thus redefined the known chemical space of lasso peptides. To date, over 20 different types of these gene clusters have been discovered, including several different clades from Proteobacteria. Despite the diverse architectures of these gene clusters, which may or may not encode various tailoring enzymes, most currently known lasso peptides are synthesized by two discrete clades defined by the presence of an ATP-binding cassette transporter or its absence and (sometimes) concurrent appearance of an isopeptidase, raising questions about their evolutionary history. Herein, we discovered and characterized the lasso peptide rubrinodin, which is assembled by a gene cluster encoding both an ATP-binding cassette transporter and an isopeptidase. Our bioinformatics analyses of this and other representative cluster types provided new clues into the evolutionary history of lasso peptides. Furthermore, our structural and biochemical investigations of rubrinodin permitted the conversion of this thermolabile lasso peptide into a more thermostable scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Xiu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengjiao Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Yile He
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaogang Niu
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Meng Han
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping An
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihua Song
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Guojun Zheng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaozhou Zhu
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, People's Republic of China
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
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38
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Wang M, Fage CD, He Y, Mi J, Yang Y, Li F, An X, Fan H, Song L, Zhu S, Tong Y. Recent Advances and Perspectives on Expanding the Chemical Diversity of Lasso Peptides. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:741364. [PMID: 34631682 PMCID: PMC8498205 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.741364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a growing family of natural products that exhibit a range of structures and bioactivities. Initially assembled from the twenty proteinogenic amino acids in a ribosome-dependent manner, RiPPs assume their peculiar bioactive structures through various post-translational modifications. The essential modifications representative of each subfamily of RiPP are performed on a precursor peptide by the so-called processing enzymes; however, various tailoring enzymes can also embellish the precursor peptide or processed peptide with additional functional groups. Lasso peptides are an interesting subfamily of RiPPs characterized by their unique lariat knot-like structure, wherein the C-terminal tail is inserted through a macrolactam ring fused by an isopeptide bond between the N-terminal amino group and an acidic side chain. Until recently, relatively few lasso peptides were found to be tailored with extra functional groups. Nevertheless, the development of new routes to diversify lasso peptides and thus introduce novel or enhanced biological, medicinally relevant, or catalytic properties is appealing. In this review, we highlight several strategies through which lasso peptides have been successfully modified and provide a brief overview of the latest findings on the tailoring of these peptides. We also propose future directions for lasso peptide tailoring as well as potential applications for these peptides in hybrid catalyst design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Christopher D Fage
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Yile He
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jinhui Mi
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.,Clinical Laboratory Center, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian, China
| | - Xiaoping An
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Song
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Shaozhou Zhu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
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39
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van Maarseveen JH. Tying peptide ropes. Nat Chem 2021; 13:822-823. [PMID: 34426683 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00771-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan H van Maarseveen
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Vinogradov AA, Nagano M, Goto Y, Suga H. Site-Specific Nonenzymatic Peptide S/O-Glutamylation Reveals the Extent of Substrate Promiscuity in Glutamate Elimination Domains. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:13358-13369. [PMID: 34392675 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c06470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Formation of dehydroalanine and dehydrobutyrine residues via tRNA-dependent dehydration of serine and threonine is a key post-translational modification in the biosynthesis of lanthipeptide and thiopeptide RiPPs. The dehydration process involves two reactions, wherein the O-glutamyl Ser/Thr intermediate, accessed by a dedicated enzyme utilizing Glu-tRNAGlu as the acyl donor, is recognized by the second enzyme, referred to as the glutamate elimination domain (ED), which catalyzes the eponymous reaction yielding a dehydroamino acid. Many details of ED catalysis remain unexplored because the scope of available substrates for testing is limited to those that the upstream enzymes can furnish. Here, we report two complementary strategies for direct, nonenzymatic access to diverse ED substrates. We establish that a thiol-thioester exchange reaction between a Cys-containing peptide and an α thioester of glutamic acid leads an S-glutamylated intermediate which can act as a substrate for EDs. Furthermore, we show that the native O-glutamylated substrates can be accessible from S-glutamylated peptides upon a site-specific S-to-O acyl transfer reaction. Combined with flexible in vitro translation utilized for rapid peptide production, these chemistries enabled us to dissect the substrate recognition requirements of three known EDs. Our results establish that EDs are uniquely promiscuous enzymes capable of acting on substrates with arbitrary amino acid sequences and performing retro-Michael reaction beyond the canonical glutamate elimination. To facilitate substrate recruitment, EDs apparently engage in nonspecific hydrophobic interactions with their substrates. Altogether, our results establish the substrate scope of EDs and provide clues to their catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Vinogradov
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masanobu Nagano
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuki Goto
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Liu D, Rubin GM, Dhakal D, Chen M, Ding Y. Biocatalytic synthesis of peptidic natural products and related analogues. iScience 2021; 24:102512. [PMID: 34041453 PMCID: PMC8141463 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptidic natural products (PNPs) represent a rich source of lead compounds for the discovery and development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of a variety of diseases. However, the chemical synthesis of PNPs with diverse modifications for drug research is often faced with significant challenges, including the unavailability of constituent nonproteinogenic amino acids, inefficient cyclization protocols, and poor compatibility with other functional groups. Advances in the understanding of PNP biosynthesis and biocatalysis provide a promising, sustainable alternative for the synthesis of these compounds and their analogues. Here we discuss current progress in using native and engineered biosynthetic enzymes for the production of both ribosomally and nonribosomally synthesized peptides. In addition, we highlight new in vitro and in vivo approaches for the generation and screening of PNP libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dake Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Garret M. Rubin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Dipesh Dhakal
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Manyun Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Yousong Ding
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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