1
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Amacher JF, Antos JM. Sortases: structure, mechanism, and implications for protein engineering. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:596-610. [PMID: 38692993 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.04.003] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Sortase enzymes are critical cysteine transpeptidases on the surface of bacteria that attach proteins to the cell wall and are involved in the construction of bacterial pili. Due to their ability to recognize specific substrates and covalently ligate a range of reaction partners, sortases are widely used in protein engineering applications via sortase-mediated ligation (SML) strategies. In this review, we discuss recent structural studies elucidating key aspects of sortase specificity and the catalytic mechanism. We also highlight select recent applications of SML, including examples where fundamental studies of sortase structure and function have informed the continued development of these enzymes as tools for protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanine F Amacher
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA.
| | - John M Antos
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA.
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2
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Williams ET, Schiefelbein K, Schuster M, Ahmed IMM, De Vries M, Beveridge R, Zerbe O, Hartrampf N. Rapid flow-based synthesis of post-translationally modified peptides and proteins: a case study on MYC's transactivation domain. Chem Sci 2024; 15:8756-8765. [PMID: 38873065 PMCID: PMC11168107 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00481g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions of c-Myc (MYC) are often regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, and crosstalk thereof. Studying these interactions requires proteins with unique PTM patterns, which are challenging to obtain by recombinant methods. Standard peptide synthesis and native chemical ligation can produce such modified proteins, but are time-consuming and therefore typically limited to the study of individual PTMs. Herein, we report the development of flow-based methods for the rapid synthesis of phosphorylated MYC sequences (up to 84 AA), and demonstrate the versatility of this approach for the incorporation of other PTMs (N ε-methylation, sulfation, acetylation, glycosylation) and combinations thereof. Peptides containing up to seven PTMs and phosphorylation at up to five sites were successfully prepared and isolated in high yield and purity. We further produced ten PTM-decorated analogues of the MYC Transactivation Domain (TAD) to screen for binding to the tumor suppressor protein, Bin1, using heteronuclear NMR and native mass spectrometry. We determined the effects of phosphorylation and glycosylation on the strength of the MYC:Bin1 interaction, and reveal an influence of MYC sequence length on binding. Our platform for the rapid synthesis of MYC sequences up to 84 AA with distinct PTM patterns thus enables the systematic study of PTM function at a molecular level, and offers a convenient way for expedited screening of constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse T Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Kevin Schiefelbein
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schuster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Ikhlas M M Ahmed
- Department for Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral St Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - Marije De Vries
- Department for Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral St Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - Rebecca Beveridge
- Department for Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral St Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - Oliver Zerbe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Nina Hartrampf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
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3
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Li WJ, Chen JY, Zhu HX, Li YM, Xu Y. Synthesis of Asp-based lactam cyclic peptides using an amide-bonded diaminodiacid to prevent aspartimide formation. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:3584-3588. [PMID: 38623862 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00472h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Asp-based lactam cyclic peptides are considered promising drug candidates. However, using Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis (Fmoc-SPPS) for these peptides also causes aspartimide formation, resulting in low yields or even failure to obtain the target peptides. Here, we developed a diaminodiacid containing an amide bond as a β-carboxyl-protecting group for Asp to avoid aspartimide formation. The practicality of this diaminodiacid has been illustrated by the synthesis of lactam cyclic peptide cyclo[Lys9,Asp13] KIIIA7-14 and 1Y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jie Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Bio-process, Ministry of Education, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China.
| | - Jun-You Chen
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Bio-process, Ministry of Education, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China.
| | - Hui-Xia Zhu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Bio-process, Ministry of Education, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China.
| | - Yi-Ming Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Bio-process, Ministry of Education, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China.
| | - Yang Xu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Bio-process, Ministry of Education, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China.
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4
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Maaliki D, Jaffa AA, Nasser S, Sahebkar A, Eid AH. Adrenoceptor Desensitization: Current Understanding of Mechanisms. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:358-387. [PMID: 38697858 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.123.000831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce a wide range of extracellular signals. They are key players in the majority of biologic functions including vision, olfaction, chemotaxis, and immunity. However, as essential as most of them are to body function and homeostasis, overactivation of GPCRs has been implicated in many pathologic diseases such as cancer, asthma, and heart failure (HF). Therefore, an important feature of G protein signaling systems is the ability to control GPCR responsiveness, and one key process to control overstimulation involves initiating receptor desensitization. A number of steps are appreciated in the desensitization process, including cell surface receptor phosphorylation, internalization, and downregulation. Rapid or short-term desensitization occurs within minutes and involves receptor phosphorylation via the action of intracellular protein kinases, the binding of β-arrestins, and the consequent uncoupling of GPCRs from their cognate heterotrimeric G proteins. On the other hand, long-term desensitization occurs over hours to days and involves receptor downregulation or a decrease in cell surface receptor protein level. Of the proteins involved in this biologic phenomenon, β-arrestins play a particularly significant role in both short- and long-term desensitization mechanisms. In addition, β-arrestins are involved in the phenomenon of biased agonism, where the biased ligand preferentially activates one of several downstream signaling pathways, leading to altered cellular responses. In this context, this review discusses the different patterns of desensitization of the α 1-, α 2- and the β adrenoceptors and highlights the role of β-arrestins in regulating physiologic responsiveness through desensitization and biased agonism. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A sophisticated network of proteins orchestrates the molecular regulation of GPCR activity. Adrenoceptors are GPCRs that play vast roles in many physiological processes. Without tightly controlled desensitization of these receptors, homeostatic imbalance may ensue, thus precipitating various diseases. Here, we critically appraise the mechanisms implicated in adrenoceptor desensitization. A better understanding of these mechanisms helps identify new druggable targets within the GPCR desensitization machinery and opens exciting therapeutic fronts in the treatment of several pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Maaliki
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Aneese A Jaffa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Suzanne Nasser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
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5
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Piemontese E, Herfort A, Perevedentseva Y, Möller HM, Seitz O. Multiphosphorylation-Dependent Recognition of Anti-pS2 Antibodies against RNA Polymerase II C-Terminal Domain Revealed by Chemical Synthesis. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12074-12086. [PMID: 38639141 PMCID: PMC11066871 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01902] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Phosphorylation is a major constituent of the CTD code, which describes the set of post-translational modifications on 52 repeats of a YSPTSPS consensus heptad that orchestrates the binding of regulatory proteins to the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II. Phospho-specific antibodies are used to detect CTD phosphorylation patterns. However, their recognition repertoire is underexplored due to limitations in the synthesis of long multiphosphorylated peptides. Herein, we describe the development of a synthesis strategy that provides access to multiphosphorylated CTD peptides in high purity without HPLC purification for immobilization onto microtiter plates. Native chemical ligation was used to assemble 12 heptad repeats in various phosphoforms. The synthesis of >60 CTD peptides, 48-90 amino acids in length and containing up to 6 phosphosites, enabled a detailed and rapid analysis of the binding characteristics of different anti-pSer2 antibodies. The three antibodies tested showed positional selectivity with marked differences in the affinity of the antibodies for pSer2-containing peptides. Furthermore, the length of the phosphopeptides allowed a systematic analysis of the multivalent chelate-type interactions. The absence of multivalency-induced binding enhancements is probably due to the high flexibility of the CTD scaffold. The effect of clustered phosphorylation proved to be more complex. Recognition of pSer2 by anti-pSer2-antibodies can be prevented and, perhaps surprisingly, enhanced by the phosphorylation of "bystander" amino acids in the vicinity. The results have relevance for functional analysis of the CTD in cell biological experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Piemontese
- Institut
für Chemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Straße 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alina Herfort
- Institut
für Chemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Straße 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yulia Perevedentseva
- Institut
für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Golm, Germany
| | - Heiko M. Möller
- Institut
für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Golm, Germany
| | - Oliver Seitz
- Institut
für Chemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Straße 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
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6
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Wu X, Du Y, Liang LJ, Ding R, Zhang T, Cai H, Tian X, Pan M, Liu L. Structure-guided engineering enables E3 ligase-free and versatile protein ubiquitination via UBE2E1. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1266. [PMID: 38341401 PMCID: PMC10858943 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45635-y] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination, catalyzed usually by a three-enzyme cascade (E1, E2, E3), regulates various eukaryotic cellular processes. E3 ligases are the most critical components of this catalytic cascade, determining both substrate specificity and polyubiquitination linkage specificity. Here, we reveal the mechanism of a naturally occurring E3-independent ubiquitination reaction of a unique human E2 enzyme UBE2E1 by solving the structure of UBE2E1 in complex with substrate SETDB1-derived peptide. Guided by this peptide sequence-dependent ubiquitination mechanism, we developed an E3-free enzymatic strategy SUE1 (sequence-dependent ubiquitination using UBE2E1) to efficiently generate ubiquitinated proteins with customized ubiquitinated sites, ubiquitin chain linkages and lengths. Notably, this strategy can also be used to generate site-specific branched ubiquitin chains or even NEDD8-modified proteins. Our work not only deepens the understanding of how an E3-free substrate ubiquitination reaction occurs in human cells, but also provides a practical approach for obtaining ubiquitinated proteins to dissect the biochemical functions of ubiquitination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangwei Wu
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Pharmacy, National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yunxiang Du
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Lu-Jun Liang
- Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Science at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
| | - Ruichao Ding
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Hongyi Cai
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaolin Tian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Man Pan
- Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Pharmacy, National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Lei Liu
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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7
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Gao YP, Sun PF, Guo WC, Zhou YK, Zheng JS, Tang S. Chemical synthesis of a 28 kDa full-length PET degrading enzyme ICCG by the removable backbone modification strategy. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107047. [PMID: 38154387 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107047] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Chemical protein synthesis offers a powerful way to access otherwise-difficult-to-obtain proteins such as mirror-image proteins. Although a large number of proteins have been chemically synthesized to date, the acquisition to proteins containing hydrophobic peptide fragments has proven challenging. Here, we describe an approach that combines the removable backbone modification strategy and the peptide hydrazide-based native chemical ligation for the chemical synthesis of a 28 kDa full-length PET degrading enzyme IGGC (a higher depolymerization efficiency of variant leaf-branch compost cutinase (LCC)) containing hydrophobic peptide segments. The synthetic ICCG exhibits the enzymatic activity and will be useful in establishing the corresponding mirror-image version of ICCG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Pu Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Peng-Fei Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Wu-Chen Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Yong-Kang Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Ji-Shen Zheng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China.
| | - Shan Tang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China.
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8
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Jin B, Thakur N, Wijesekara AV, Eddy MT. Illuminating GPCR signaling mechanisms by NMR spectroscopy with stable-isotope labeled receptors. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 72:102364. [PMID: 37612173 PMCID: PMC11221349 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2023.102364] [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: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) exhibit remarkable structural plasticity, which underlies their capacity to recognize a wide range of extracellular molecules and interact with intracellular partner proteins. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is uniquely well-suited to investigate GPCR structural plasticity, enabled by stable-isotope "probes" incorporated into receptors that inform on structure and dynamics. Progress with stable-isotope labeling methods in Eukaryotic expression systems has enabled production of native or nearly-native human receptors with varied and complementary distributions of NMR probes. These advances have opened up new avenues for investigating the roles of conformational dynamics in signaling processes, including by mapping allosteric communication networks, understanding the specificity of GPCR interactions with partner proteins and exploring the impact of membrane environments on GPCR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beining Jin
- Department of Chemistry; University of Florida; Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Naveen Thakur
- Department of Chemistry; University of Florida; Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | | | - Matthew T Eddy
- Department of Chemistry; University of Florida; Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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9
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Zhang B, Zheng Y, Chu G, Deng X, Wang T, Shi W, Zhou Y, Tang S, Zheng JS, Liu L. Backbone-Installed Split Intein-Assisted Ligation for the Chemical Synthesis of Mirror-Image Proteins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306270. [PMID: 37357888 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Membrane-associated D-proteins are an important class of synthetic molecules needed for D-peptide drug discovery, but their chemical synthesis using canonical ligation methods such as native chemical ligation is often hampered by the poor solubility of their constituent peptide segments. Here, we describe a Backbone-Installed Split Intein-Assisted Ligation (BISIAL) method for the synthesis of these proteins, wherein the native L-forms of the N- and C-intein fragments of the unique consensus-fast (Cfa) (i.e. L-CfaN and L-CfaC ) are separately installed onto the two D-peptide segments to be ligated via a removable backbone modification. The ligation proceeds smoothly at micromolar (μM) concentrations under strongly chaotropic conditions (8.0 M urea), and the subsequent removal of the backbone modification groups affords the desired D-proteins without leaving any "ligation scar" on the products. The effectiveness and practicality of the BISIAL method are exemplified by the synthesis of the D-enantiomers of the extracellular domains of T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC). The BISIAL method further expands the chemical protein synthesis ligation toolkit and provides practical access to challenging D-protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baochang Zhang
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yupeng Zheng
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Guochao Chu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiangyu Deng
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Tongyue Wang
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Weiwei Shi
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yongkang Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, MOE Key Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, and Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Shan Tang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, MOE Key Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, and Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Ji-Shen Zheng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, MOE Key Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, and Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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10
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Xie XL, Qi JZ, Wan XC, Zhang SD, Zhang YN, Fang GM. Chemical Synthesis of Proteins Using an o-Nitrobenzyl Group as a Robust Temporary Protective Group for N-Terminal Cysteine Protection. Org Lett 2023; 25:3435-3439. [PMID: 37144961 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c00998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We report here a robust and practical strategy for chemical protein synthesis using an o-nitrobenzyl group as a temporary protective group for an N-terminal cysteine residue of intermediate hydrazide fragments. By reinvestigating the photoremoval of an o-nitrobenzyl group, we establish a robust and reliable strategy for its quantitative photodeprotection. The o-nitrobenzyl group is completely stable to oxidative NaNO2 treatment and has been applied to the convergent chemical synthesis of programmed death ligand 1 fragment, providing a practical avenue for hydrazide-based native chemical ligation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lei Xie
- School of Life Science, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Institute of Health Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P.R. China
| | - Jing-Ze Qi
- School of Life Science, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Institute of Health Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Cui Wan
- School of Life Science, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Institute of Health Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P.R. China
| | - Suo-De Zhang
- Hefei KS-V Peptide Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Hefei 230031, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Ni Zhang
- School of Life Science, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Institute of Health Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P.R. China
| | - Ge-Min Fang
- School of Life Science, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Institute of Health Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P.R. China
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11
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Heng J, Hu Y, Pérez-Hernández G, Inoue A, Zhao J, Ma X, Sun X, Kawakami K, Ikuta T, Ding J, Yang Y, Zhang L, Peng S, Niu X, Li H, Guixà-González R, Jin C, Hildebrand PW, Chen C, Kobilka BK. Function and dynamics of the intrinsically disordered carboxyl terminus of β2 adrenergic receptor. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2005. [PMID: 37037825 PMCID: PMC10085991 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37233-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in structural biology have provided important mechanistic insights into signaling by the transmembrane core of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs); however, much less is known about intrinsically disordered regions such as the carboxyl terminus (CT), which is highly flexible and not visible in GPCR structures. The β2 adrenergic receptor's (β2AR) 71 amino acid CT is a substrate for GPCR kinases and binds β-arrestins to regulate signaling. Here we show that the β2AR CT directly inhibits basal and agonist-stimulated signaling in cell lines lacking β-arrestins. Combining single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), NMR spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations, we reveal that the negatively charged β2AR-CT serves as an autoinhibitory factor via interacting with the positively charged cytoplasmic surface of the receptor to limit access to G-proteins. The stability of this interaction is influenced by agonists and allosteric modulators, emphasizing that the CT plays important role in allosterically regulating GPCR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Heng
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yunfei Hu
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Guillermo Pérez-Hernández
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Jiawei Zhao
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiuyan Ma
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaoou Sun
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Kouki Kawakami
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ikuta
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Jienv Ding
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yujie Yang
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Lujia Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Sijia Peng
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaogang Niu
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ramon Guixà-González
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232, Villigen, PSI, Switzerland
| | - Changwen Jin
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Peter W Hildebrand
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University Leipzig, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, 10178, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chunlai Chen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Brian K Kobilka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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12
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Harel O, Jbara M. Chemical Synthesis of Bioactive Proteins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202217716. [PMID: 36661212 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202217716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Nature has developed a plethora of protein machinery to operate and maintain nearly every task of cellular life. These processes are tightly regulated via post-expression modifications-transformations that modulate intracellular protein synthesis, folding, and activation. Methods to prepare homogeneously and precisely modified proteins are essential to probe their function and design new bioactive modalities. Synthetic chemistry has contributed remarkably to protein science by allowing the preparation of novel biomacromolecules that are often challenging or impractical to prepare via common biological means. The ability to chemically build and precisely modify proteins has enabled the production of new molecules with novel physicochemical properties and programmed activity for biomedical research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. This minireview summarizes recent developments in chemical protein synthesis to produce bioactive proteins, with emphasis on novel analogs with promising in vitro and in vivo activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Harel
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Muhammad Jbara
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
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13
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Wu H, Tan Y, Ngai WL, Li X. Total synthesis of interleukin-2 via a tunable backbone modification strategy. Chem Sci 2023; 14:1582-1589. [PMID: 36794182 PMCID: PMC9906654 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05660g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical synthesis of hydrophobic proteins presents a formidable task as they are often difficultly achieved via peptide synthesis, purification, and peptide ligation. Thus, peptide solubilizing strategies are needed to integrate with peptide ligation to achieve protein total synthesis. Herein, we report a tunable backbone modification strategy, taking advantage of the tunable stability of the Cys/Pen ligation intermediate, which allows for readily introducing a solubilizing tag for both peptide purification and ligation processes. The effectiveness of this strategy was demonstrated by the chemical synthesis of interleukin-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiang Wu
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
| | - Yi Tan
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
| | - Wai Lok Ngai
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
| | - Xuechen Li
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology Qingdao 266237 P. R. China
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14
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Wang Y, Xia Q, Hua X, Guo Y, Shi J, Li YM. Semi-synthesis of biotin-bearing activity-based Ubiquitin probes through sequential enzymatic ligation, N-S acyl transfer and aminolysis reaction. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.108010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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15
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Zheng Q, Su Z, Yu Y, Liu L. Recent progress in dissecting ubiquitin signals with chemical biology tools. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 70:102187. [PMID: 35961065 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102187] [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: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination regulates almost all eukaryotic cellular processes, and is of very high complexity due to the diversity of ubiquitin (Ub) modifications including mono-, multiply mono-, homotypic poly-, and even heterotypic poly-ubiquitination. To accurately elucidate the role of each specific Ub signal in different cells with spatiotemporal resolutions, a variety of chemical biology tools have been developed. In this review, we summarize some recently developed chemical biology tools for ubiquitination studies and their applications in molecular and cellular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Zheng
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (MOE), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhen Su
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Lei Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (MOE), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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16
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Grunhaus D, Molina ER, Cohen R, Stein T, Friedler A, Hurevich M. Accelerated Multiphosphorylated Peptide Synthesis. Org Process Res Dev 2022; 26:2492-2497. [PMID: 36032360 PMCID: PMC9397535 DOI: 10.1021/acs.oprd.2c00164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Preparing phosphorylated peptides with multiple adjacent
phosphorylations
is synthetically difficult, leads to β-elimination, results
in low yields, and is extremely slow. We combined synthetic chemical
methodologies with computational studies and engineering approaches
to develop a strategy that takes advantage of fast stirring, high
temperature, and a very low concentration of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene
(DBU) to produce multiphosphorylated peptides at an extremely rapid
time and high purity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Grunhaus
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Estefanía Rossich Molina
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Roni Cohen
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Tamar Stein
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Assaf Friedler
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Mattan Hurevich
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
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17
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Wang Y, Chen J, Hua X, Meng X, Cai H, Wang R, Shi J, Deng H, Liu L, Li Y. Photocaging of Activity‐Based Ubiquitin Probes via a C‐Terminal Backbone Modification Strategy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202203792. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202203792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering Engineering Research Center of Bio-process Ministry of Education Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department of Chemistry Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
- Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China
| | - Jingnan Chen
- School of Food and Biological Engineering Engineering Research Center of Bio-process Ministry of Education Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
| | - Xiao Hua
- Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China
| | - Xianbin Meng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics School of Life Sciences Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Hongyi Cai
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department of Chemistry Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Rongtian Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering Engineering Research Center of Bio-process Ministry of Education Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
| | - Jing Shi
- Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China
| | - Haiteng Deng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics School of Life Sciences Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Lei Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department of Chemistry Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Yi‐Ming Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering Engineering Research Center of Bio-process Ministry of Education Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
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18
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Li Q, Yin G, Wang J, Li L, Liang Q, Zhao X, Chen Y, Zheng X, Zhao X. An emerging paradigm to develop analytical methods based on immobilized transmembrane proteins and its applications in drug discovery. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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19
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Bilbrough T, Piemontese E, Seitz O. Dissecting the role of protein phosphorylation: a chemical biology toolbox. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:5691-5730. [PMID: 35726784 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00991e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is a crucial regulator of protein and cellular function, yet, despite identifying an enormous number of phosphorylation sites, the role of most is still unclear. Each phosphoform, the particular combination of phosphorylations, of a protein has distinct and diverse biological consequences. Aberrant phosphorylation is implicated in the development of many diseases. To investigate their function, access to defined protein phosphoforms is essential. Materials obtained from cells often are complex mixtures. Recombinant methods can provide access to defined phosphoforms if site-specifically acting kinases are known, but the methods fail to provide homogenous material when several amino acid side chains compete for phosphorylation. Chemical and chemoenzymatic synthesis has provided an invaluable toolbox to enable access to previously unreachable phosphoforms of proteins. In this review, we selected important tools that enable access to homogeneously phosphorylated protein and discuss examples that demonstrate how they can be applied. Firstly, we discuss the synthesis of phosphopeptides and proteins through chemical and enzymatic means and their advantages and limitations. Secondly, we showcase illustrative examples that applied these tools to answer biological questions pertaining to proteins involved in signal transduction, control of transcription, neurodegenerative diseases and aggregation, apoptosis and autophagy, and transmembrane proteins. We discuss the opportunities and challenges in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Bilbrough
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Emanuele Piemontese
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Oliver Seitz
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
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20
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Wang Y, Chen J, Hua X, Meng X, Cai H, Wang R, Shi J, Deng H, Liu L, Li Y. Photocaging of Activity‐Based Ubiquitin Probes via a C‐Terminal Backbone Modification Strategy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202203792] [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)
- Yu Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering Engineering Research Center of Bio-process Ministry of Education Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department of Chemistry Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
- Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China
| | - Jingnan Chen
- School of Food and Biological Engineering Engineering Research Center of Bio-process Ministry of Education Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
| | - Xiao Hua
- Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China
| | - Xianbin Meng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics School of Life Sciences Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Hongyi Cai
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department of Chemistry Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Rongtian Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering Engineering Research Center of Bio-process Ministry of Education Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
| | - Jing Shi
- Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China
| | - Haiteng Deng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics School of Life Sciences Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Lei Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department of Chemistry Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Yi‐Ming Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering Engineering Research Center of Bio-process Ministry of Education Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China
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21
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Kulkarni SS, Watson EE, Maxwell JWC, Niederacher G, Johansen‐Leete J, Huhmann S, Mukherjee S, Norman AR, Kriegesmann J, Becker CFW, Payne RJ. Expressed Protein Selenoester Ligation. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 134:e202200163. [PMID: 38505698 PMCID: PMC10947028 DOI: 10.1002/ange.202200163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we describe the development and application of a novel expressed protein selenoester ligation (EPSL) methodology for the one-pot semi-synthesis of modified proteins. EPSL harnesses the rapid kinetics of ligation reactions between modified synthetic selenopeptides and protein aryl selenoesters (generated from expressed intein fusion precursors) followed by in situ chemoselective deselenization to afford target proteins at concentrations that preclude the use of traditional ligation methods. The utility of the EPSL technology is showcased through the efficient semi-synthesis of ubiquitinated polypeptides, lipidated analogues of the membrane-associated GTPase YPT6, and site-specifically phosphorylated variants of the oligomeric chaperone protein Hsp27 at high dilution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer S. Kulkarni
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSW 2006Australia
| | - Emma E. Watson
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSW 2006Australia
| | - Joshua W. C. Maxwell
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSW 2006Australia
| | - Gerhard Niederacher
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological ChemistryUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Jason Johansen‐Leete
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSW 2006Australia
| | - Susanne Huhmann
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological ChemistryUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Somnath Mukherjee
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological ChemistryUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Alexander R. Norman
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSW 2006Australia
| | - Julia Kriegesmann
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological ChemistryUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Christian F. W. Becker
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological ChemistryUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Richard J. Payne
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSW 2006Australia
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22
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Kulkarni SS, Watson EE, Maxwell JWC, Niederacher G, Johansen-Leete J, Huhmann S, Mukherjee S, Norman AR, Kriegesmann J, Becker CFW, Payne RJ. Expressed Protein Selenoester Ligation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202200163. [PMID: 35194928 PMCID: PMC9314092 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202200163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we describe the development and application of a novel expressed protein selenoester ligation (EPSL) methodology for the one‐pot semi‐synthesis of modified proteins. EPSL harnesses the rapid kinetics of ligation reactions between modified synthetic selenopeptides and protein aryl selenoesters (generated from expressed intein fusion precursors) followed by in situ chemoselective deselenization to afford target proteins at concentrations that preclude the use of traditional ligation methods. The utility of the EPSL technology is showcased through the efficient semi‐synthesis of ubiquitinated polypeptides, lipidated analogues of the membrane‐associated GTPase YPT6, and site‐specifically phosphorylated variants of the oligomeric chaperone protein Hsp27 at high dilution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer S Kulkarni
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Emma E Watson
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Joshua W C Maxwell
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Gerhard Niederacher
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jason Johansen-Leete
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Susanne Huhmann
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Somnath Mukherjee
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander R Norman
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Julia Kriegesmann
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian F W Becker
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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23
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Guan I, Williams K, Liu JST, Liu X. Synthetic Thiol and Selenol Derived Amino Acids for Expanding the Scope of Chemical Protein Synthesis. Front Chem 2022; 9:826764. [PMID: 35237567 PMCID: PMC8883728 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.826764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells employ post-translational modifications (PTMs) as key mechanisms to expand proteome diversity beyond the inherent limitations of a concise genome. The ability to incorporate post-translationally modified amino acids into protein targets via chemical ligation of peptide fragments has enabled the access to homogeneous proteins bearing discrete PTM patterns and empowered functional elucidation of individual modification sites. Native chemical ligation (NCL) represents a powerful and robust means for convergent assembly of two homogeneous, unprotected peptides bearing an N-terminal cysteine residue and a C-terminal thioester, respectively. The subsequent discovery that protein cysteine residues can be chemoselectively desulfurized to alanine has ignited tremendous interest in preparing unnatural thiol-derived variants of proteogenic amino acids for chemical protein synthesis following the ligation-desulfurization logic. Recently, the 21st amino acid selenocysteine, together with other selenyl derivatives of amino acids, have been shown to facilitate ultrafast ligation with peptidyl selenoesters, while the advancement in deselenization chemistry has provided reliable bio-orthogonality to PTMs and other amino acids. The combination of these ligation techniques and desulfurization/deselenization chemistries has led to streamlined synthesis of multiple structurally-complex, post-translationally modified proteins. In this review, we aim to summarize the latest chemical synthesis of thiolated and selenylated amino-acid building blocks and exemplify their important roles in conquering challenging protein targets with distinct PTM patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivy Guan
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kayla Williams
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joanna Shu Ting Liu
- The Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Xuyu Liu
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Xuyu Liu,
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24
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Zhang YN, Zhang Y, Su S, Zhu HY, Xu W, Wang L, Wu M, Chen K, Yu FQ, Xi TK, Zhou Q, Xie YH, Qin X, Ge H, Lu L, Qing J, Fang GM. Neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 by dimeric side chain-to-side chain cross-linked ACE2 peptide mimetics. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:1804-1807. [PMID: 35040445 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc06301d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We present the finding of a dimeric ACE2 peptide mimetic designed through side chain cross-linking and covalent dimerization. It has a binding affinity of 16 nM for the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD, and effectively inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in Huh7-hACE2 cells with an IC50 of 190 nM and neutralizes the authentic SARS-CoV-2 in Caco2 cells with an IC50 of 2.4 μM. Our study should provide a new insight for the optimization of peptide-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ni Zhang
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, P. R. China.
| | - Shan Su
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China.
| | - Han-Ying Zhu
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China.
| | - Lu Wang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, P. R. China.
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
| | - Fei-Qiang Yu
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
| | - Tong-Kuai Xi
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
| | - Qin Zhou
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
| | - You-Hua Xie
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China.
| | - Ximing Qin
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
| | - Honghua Ge
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China.
| | - Jie Qing
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, P. R. China.
| | - Ge-Min Fang
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
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