1
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Hardy BJ, Curnow P. Computational design of de novo bioenergetic membrane proteins. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1737-1745. [PMID: 38958574 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231347] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The major energy-producing reactions of biochemistry occur at biological membranes. Computational protein design now provides the opportunity to elucidate the underlying principles of these processes and to construct bioenergetic pathways on our own terms. Here, we review recent achievements in this endeavour of 'synthetic bioenergetics', with a particular focus on new enabling tools that facilitate the computational design of biocompatible de novo integral membrane proteins. We use recent examples to showcase some of the key computational approaches in current use and highlight that the overall philosophy of 'surface-swapping' - the replacement of solvent-facing residues with amino acids bearing lipid-soluble hydrophobic sidechains - is a promising avenue in membrane protein design. We conclude by highlighting outstanding design challenges and the emerging role of AI in sequence design and structure ideation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Curnow
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K
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2
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Hardy BJ, Dubiel P, Bungay EL, Rudin M, Williams C, Arthur CJ, Guberman‐Pfeffer MJ, Sofia Oliveira A, Curnow P, Anderson JLR. Delineating redox cooperativity in water-soluble and membrane multiheme cytochromes through protein design. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e5113. [PMID: 38980168 PMCID: PMC11232281 DOI: 10.1002/pro.5113] [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: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Nature has evolved diverse electron transport proteins and multiprotein assemblies essential to the generation and transduction of biological energy. However, substantially modifying or adapting these proteins for user-defined applications or to gain fundamental mechanistic insight can be hindered by their inherent complexity. De novo protein design offers an attractive route to stripping away this confounding complexity, enabling us to probe the fundamental workings of these bioenergetic proteins and systems, while providing robust, modular platforms for constructing completely artificial electron-conducting circuitry. Here, we use a set of de novo designed mono-heme and di-heme soluble and membrane proteins to delineate the contributions of electrostatic micro-environments and dielectric properties of the surrounding protein medium on the inter-heme redox cooperativity that we have previously reported. Experimentally, we find that the two heme sites in both the water-soluble and membrane constructs have broadly equivalent redox potentials in isolation, in agreement with Poisson-Boltzmann Continuum Electrostatics calculations. BioDC, a Python program for the estimation of electron transfer energetics and kinetics within multiheme cytochromes, also predicts equivalent heme sites, and reports that burial within the low dielectric environment of the membrane strengthens heme-heme electrostatic coupling. We conclude that redox cooperativity in our diheme cytochromes is largely driven by heme electrostatic coupling and confirm that this effect is greatly strengthened by burial in the membrane. These results demonstrate that while our de novo proteins present minimalist, new-to-nature constructs, they enable the dissection and microscopic examination of processes fundamental to the function of vital, yet complex, bioenergetic assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - May Rudin
- School of BiochemistryUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul Curnow
- School of BiochemistryUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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3
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Hilvert D. Spiers Memorial Lecture: Engineering biocatalysts. Faraday Discuss 2024. [PMID: 39046423 DOI: 10.1039/d4fd00139g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Enzymes are being engineered to catalyze chemical reactions for many practical applications in chemistry and biotechnology. The approaches used are surveyed in this short review, emphasizing methods for accessing reactivities not expressed by native protein scaffolds. The successful generation of completely de novo enzymes that rival the rates and selectivities of their natural counterparts highlights the potential role that designer enzymes may play in the coming years in research, industry, and medicine. Some challenges that need to be addressed to realize this ambitious dream are considered together with possible solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
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4
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Dutta C, Lopez V, Preston C, Rudra N, Chavez AMV, Rogers AM, Solomon LA. Controlling heme redox properties in peptide amphiphile fibers with sequence and heme loading ratio. Biophys J 2024; 123:1781-1791. [PMID: 38783603 PMCID: PMC11267424 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Controlling the reduction midpoint potential of heme B is a key factor in many bioelectrochemical reactions, including long-range electron transport. Currently, there are a number of globular model protein systems to study this biophysical parameter; however, there are none for large polymeric protein model systems (e.g., the OmcS protein from G. sulfurreducens). Peptide amphiphiles, short peptides with a lipid tail that polymerize into fibrous structures, fill this gap. Here, we show a peptide amphiphile model system where one can tune the electrochemical potential of heme B by changing the loading ratio and peptide sequence. Changing the loading ratio resulted in the most significant increase, with values as high as -22 mV down to -224 mV. Circular dichroism spectra of certain sequences show Cotton effects at lower loading ratios that disappear as more heme B is added, indicating an ordered environment that becomes disrupted if heme B is overpacked. These findings can contribute to the design of functional self-assembling biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjit Dutta
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Virginia Lopez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Conner Preston
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Nimesh Rudra
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia
| | | | - Abigail M Rogers
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Lee A Solomon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
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5
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Ennist NM, Wang S, Kennedy MA, Curti M, Sutherland GA, Vasilev C, Redler RL, Maffeis V, Shareef S, Sica AV, Hua AS, Deshmukh AP, Moyer AP, Hicks DR, Swartz AZ, Cacho RA, Novy N, Bera AK, Kang A, Sankaran B, Johnson MP, Phadkule A, Reppert M, Ekiert D, Bhabha G, Stewart L, Caram JR, Stoddard BL, Romero E, Hunter CN, Baker D. De novo design of proteins housing excitonically coupled chlorophyll special pairs. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:906-915. [PMID: 38831036 PMCID: PMC11213709 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01626-0] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Natural photosystems couple light harvesting to charge separation using a 'special pair' of chlorophyll molecules that accepts excitation energy from the antenna and initiates an electron-transfer cascade. To investigate the photophysics of special pairs independently of the complexities of native photosynthetic proteins, and as a first step toward creating synthetic photosystems for new energy conversion technologies, we designed C2-symmetric proteins that hold two chlorophyll molecules in closely juxtaposed arrangements. X-ray crystallography confirmed that one designed protein binds two chlorophylls in the same orientation as native special pairs, whereas a second designed protein positions them in a previously unseen geometry. Spectroscopy revealed that the chlorophylls are excitonically coupled, and fluorescence lifetime imaging demonstrated energy transfer. The cryo-electron microscopy structure of a designed 24-chlorophyll octahedral nanocage with a special pair on each edge closely matched the design model. The results suggest that the de novo design of artificial photosynthetic systems is within reach of current computational methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M Ennist
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Shunzhi Wang
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Madison A Kennedy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mariano Curti
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ-CERCA), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Tarragona, Spain
| | | | | | - Rachel L Redler
- Department of Cell Biology and Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentin Maffeis
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ-CERCA), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Saeed Shareef
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ-CERCA), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Tarragona, Spain
- Departament de Química Física i Inorgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Anthony V Sica
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ash Sueh Hua
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Arundhati P Deshmukh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Adam P Moyer
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Derrick R Hicks
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Avi Z Swartz
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ralph A Cacho
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nathan Novy
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Asim K Bera
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alex Kang
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Banumathi Sankaran
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Berkeley Center for Structural Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Amala Phadkule
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Mike Reppert
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Damian Ekiert
- Department of Cell Biology and Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gira Bhabha
- Department of Cell Biology and Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lance Stewart
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Justin R Caram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Barry L Stoddard
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elisabet Romero
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ-CERCA), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Tarragona, Spain
| | - C Neil Hunter
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - David Baker
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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6
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Williams JC, Faillace MS, Gonzalez EJ, Dominguez RE, Knappenberger K, Heredia DA, Moore TA, Moore AL, Allen JP. Mn-porphyrins in a four-helix bundle participate in photo-induced electron transfer with a bacterial reaction center. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2023:10.1007/s11120-023-01051-9. [PMID: 37910331 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-023-01051-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid complexes incorporating synthetic Mn-porphyrins into an artificial four-helix bundle domain of bacterial reaction centers created a system to investigate new electron transfer pathways. The reactions were initiated by illumination of the bacterial reaction centers, whose primary photochemistry involves electron transfer from the bacteriochlorophyll dimer through a series of electron acceptors to the quinone electron acceptors. Porphyrins with diphenyl, dimesityl, or fluorinated substituents were synthesized containing either Mn or Zn. Electrochemical measurements revealed potentials for Mn(III)/Mn(II) transitions that are ~ 0.4 V higher for the fluorinated Mn-porphyrins than the diphenyl and dimesityl Mn-porphyrins. The synthetic porphyrins were introduced into the proteins by binding to a four-helix bundle domain that was genetically fused to the reaction center. Light excitation of the bacteriochlorophyll dimer of the reaction center resulted in new derivative signals, in the 400 to 450 nm region of light-minus-dark spectra, that are consistent with oxidation of the fluorinated Mn(II) porphyrins and reduction of the diphenyl and dimesityl Mn(III) porphyrins. These features recovered in the dark and were not observed in the Zn(II) porphyrins. The amplitudes of the signals were dependent upon the oxidation/reduction midpoint potentials of the bacteriochlorophyll dimer. These results are interpreted as photo-induced charge-separation processes resulting in redox changes of the Mn-porphyrins, demonstrating the utility of the hybrid artificial reaction center system to establish design guidelines for novel electron transfer reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Williams
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - M S Faillace
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - E J Gonzalez
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - R E Dominguez
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - K Knappenberger
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - D A Heredia
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - T A Moore
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - A L Moore
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - J P Allen
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
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7
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Hutchins GH, Noble CEM, Bunzel HA, Williams C, Dubiel P, Yadav SKN, Molinaro PM, Barringer R, Blackburn H, Hardy BJ, Parnell AE, Landau C, Race PR, Oliver TAA, Koder RL, Crump MP, Schaffitzel C, Oliveira ASF, Mulholland AJ, Anderson JLR. An expandable, modular de novo protein platform for precision redox engineering. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306046120. [PMID: 37487099 PMCID: PMC10400981 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306046120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The electron-conducting circuitry of life represents an as-yet untapped resource of exquisite, nanoscale biomolecular engineering. Here, we report the characterization and structure of a de novo diheme "maquette" protein, 4D2, which we subsequently use to create an expanded, modular platform for heme protein design. A well-folded monoheme variant was created by computational redesign, which was then utilized for the experimental validation of continuum electrostatic redox potential calculations. This demonstrates how fundamental biophysical properties can be predicted and fine-tuned. 4D2 was then extended into a tetraheme helical bundle, representing a 7 nm molecular wire. Despite a molecular weight of only 24 kDa, electron cryomicroscopy illustrated a remarkable level of detail, indicating the positioning of the secondary structure and the heme cofactors. This robust, expressible, highly thermostable and readily designable modular platform presents a valuable resource for redox protein design and the future construction of artificial electron-conducting circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- George H. Hutchins
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Claire E. M. Noble
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - H. Adrian Bunzel
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paulina Dubiel
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Sathish K. N. Yadav
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M. Molinaro
- Department of Physics, The City College of New York, New York, NY10031
- Graduate Programs of Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, NY10016
| | - Rob Barringer
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Hector Blackburn
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin J. Hardy
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Alice E. Parnell
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Landau
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Paul R. Race
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ronald L. Koder
- Department of Physics, The City College of New York, New York, NY10031
- Graduate Programs of Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, NY10016
| | - Matthew P. Crump
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Christiane Schaffitzel
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - A. Sofia F. Oliveira
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian J. Mulholland
- BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - J. L. Ross Anderson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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8
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Abstract
Biological pigment-protein complexes (PPCs) exhibit a remarkable ability to tune the optical properties of biological excitons (bioexcitons) through specific pigment-protein interactions. While such fine-tuning allows natural systems (e.g., photosynthetic proteins) to carry out their native functions with near-optimal performance, native function itself is often suboptimal for applications such as biofuel production or quantum technology development. This perspective offers a look at near-term prospects for the rational reoptimization of PPC bioexcitons for new functions using site-directed mutagenesis. The primary focus is on the "structure-spectrum" challenge of understanding the relationships between structural features and spectroscopic properties. While recent examples demonstrate that site-directed mutagenesis can be used to tune nearly all key bioexciton parameters (e.g., site energies, interpigment couplings, and electronic-vibrational interactions), critical challenges remain before we achieve truly rational design of bioexciton properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike Reppert
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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9
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Curti M, Maffeis V, Teixeira Alves Duarte LG, Shareef S, Hallado LX, Curutchet C, Romero E. Engineering excitonically coupled dimers in an artificial protein for light harvesting via computational modeling. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4579. [PMID: 36715022 PMCID: PMC9951196 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In photosynthesis, pigment-protein complexes achieve outstanding photoinduced charge separation efficiencies through a set of strategies in which excited states delocalization over multiple pigments ("excitons") and charge-transfer states play key roles. These concepts, and their implementation in bioinspired artificial systems, are attracting increasing attention due to the vast potential that could be tapped by realizing efficient photochemical reactions. In particular, de novo designed proteins provide a diverse structural toolbox that can be used to manipulate the geometric and electronic properties of bound chromophore molecules. However, achieving excitonic and charge-transfer states requires closely spaced chromophores, a non-trivial aspect since a strong binding with the protein matrix needs to be maintained. Here, we show how a general-purpose artificial protein can be optimized via molecular dynamics simulations to improve its binding capacity of a chlorophyll derivative, achieving complexes in which chromophores form two closely spaced and strongly interacting dimers. Based on spectroscopy results and computational modeling, we demonstrate each dimer is excitonically coupled, and propose they display signatures of charge-transfer state mixing. This work could open new avenues for the rational design of chromophore-protein complexes with advanced functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Curti
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
| | - Valentin Maffeis
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
- Laboratoire de Chimie, UMR 5182, ENS Lyon, CNRSUniversité Lyon 1LyonFrance
| | | | - Saeed Shareef
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
- Departament de Química Física i InorgànicaUniversitat Rovira i VirgiliTarragonaSpain
| | - Luisa Xiomara Hallado
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
- Departament de Química Física i InorgànicaUniversitat Rovira i VirgiliTarragonaSpain
| | - Carles Curutchet
- Departament de Farmàcia i Tecnologia Farmacèutica i Fisicoquímica, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'AlimentacióUniversitat de Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
- Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Elisabet Romero
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
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10
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Solomon LA, Witten J, Kodali G, Moser CC, Dutton PL. Tailorable Tetrahelical Bundles as a Toolkit for Redox Studies. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:8177-8187. [PMID: 36219580 PMCID: PMC9589594 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c05119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Oxidoreductases have evolved over millions of years to perform a variety of metabolic tasks crucial for life. Understanding how these tasks are engineered relies on delivering external electron donors or acceptors to initiate electron transfer reactions. This is a challenge. Small-molecule redox reagents can act indiscriminately, poisoning the cell. Natural redox proteins are more selective, but finding the right partner can be difficult due to the limited number of redox potentials and difficulty tuning them. De novo proteins offer an alternative path. They are robust and can withstand mutations that allow for tailorable changes. They are also devoid of evolutionary artifacts and readily bind redox cofactors. However, no reliable set of engineering principles have been developed that allow for these proteins to be fine-tuned so their redox midpoint potential (Em) can form donor/acceptor pairs with any natural oxidoreductase. This work dissects protein-cofactor interactions that can be tuned to modulate redox potentials of acceptors and donors using a mutable de novo designed tetrahelical protein platform with iron tetrapyrrole cofactors as a test case. We show a series of engineered heme b-binding de novo proteins and quantify their resulting effect on Em. By focusing on the surface charge and buried charges, as well as cofactor placement, chemical modification, and ligation of cofactors, we are able to achieve a broad range of Em values spanning a range of 330 mV. We anticipate this work will guide the design of proteinaceous tools that can interface with natural oxidoreductases inside and outside the cell while shedding light on how natural proteins modulate Em values of bound cofactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee A. Solomon
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason
University, Fairfax, Virginia22030, United States,
| | - Joshua Witten
- Department
of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia22030, United States
| | - Goutham Kodali
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University
of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19104, United States
| | - Christopher C. Moser
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University
of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19104, United States
| | - P. Leslie Dutton
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University
of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19104, United States
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11
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Qing R, Hao S, Smorodina E, Jin D, Zalevsky A, Zhang S. Protein Design: From the Aspect of Water Solubility and Stability. Chem Rev 2022; 122:14085-14179. [PMID: 35921495 PMCID: PMC9523718 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Water solubility and structural stability are key merits for proteins defined by the primary sequence and 3D-conformation. Their manipulation represents important aspects of the protein design field that relies on the accurate placement of amino acids and molecular interactions, guided by underlying physiochemical principles. Emulated designer proteins with well-defined properties both fuel the knowledge-base for more precise computational design models and are used in various biomedical and nanotechnological applications. The continuous developments in protein science, increasing computing power, new algorithms, and characterization techniques provide sophisticated toolkits for solubility design beyond guess work. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the protein design field with respect to water solubility and structural stability. After introducing fundamental design rules, we discuss the transmembrane protein solubilization and de novo transmembrane protein design. Traditional strategies to enhance protein solubility and structural stability are introduced. The designs of stable protein complexes and high-order assemblies are covered. Computational methodologies behind these endeavors, including structure prediction programs, machine learning algorithms, and specialty software dedicated to the evaluation of protein solubility and aggregation, are discussed. The findings and opportunities for Cryo-EM are presented. This review provides an overview of significant progress and prospects in accurate protein design for solubility and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Qing
- State
Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and
Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Media
Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Shilei Hao
- Media
Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Key
Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Eva Smorodina
- Department
of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo
University Hospital, Oslo 0424, Norway
| | - David Jin
- Avalon GloboCare
Corp., Freehold, New Jersey 07728, United States
| | - Arthur Zalevsky
- Laboratory
of Bioinformatics Approaches in Combinatorial Chemistry and Biology, Shemyakin−Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic
Chemistry RAS, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Shuguang Zhang
- Media
Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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12
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Ennist NM, Stayrook SE, Dutton PL, Moser CC. Rational design of photosynthetic reaction center protein maquettes. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:997295. [PMID: 36213121 PMCID: PMC9532970 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.997295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
New technologies for efficient solar-to-fuel energy conversion will help facilitate a global shift from dependence on fossil fuels to renewable energy. Nature uses photosynthetic reaction centers to convert photon energy into a cascade of electron-transfer reactions that eventually produce chemical fuel. The design of new reaction centers de novo deepens our understanding of photosynthetic charge separation and may one day allow production of biofuels with higher thermodynamic efficiency than natural photosystems. Recently, we described the multi-step electron-transfer activity of a designed reaction center maquette protein (the RC maquette), which can assemble metal ions, tyrosine, a Zn tetrapyrrole, and heme into an electron-transport chain. Here, we detail our modular strategy for rational protein design and show that the intended RC maquette design agrees with crystal structures in various states of assembly. A flexible, dynamic apo-state collapses by design into a more ordered holo-state upon cofactor binding. Crystal structures illustrate the structural transitions upon binding of different cofactors. Spectroscopic assays demonstrate that the RC maquette binds various electron donors, pigments, and electron acceptors with high affinity. We close with a critique of the present RC maquette design and use electron-tunneling theory to envision a path toward a designed RC with a substantially higher thermodynamic efficiency than natural photosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M. Ennist
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- *Correspondence: Nathan M. Ennist,
| | - Steven E. Stayrook
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University West Campus, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - P. Leslie Dutton
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Christopher C. Moser
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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13
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Ennist NM, Zhao Z, Stayrook SE, Discher BM, Dutton PL, Moser CC. De novo protein design of photochemical reaction centers. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4937. [PMID: 35999239 PMCID: PMC9399245 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32710-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural photosynthetic protein complexes capture sunlight to power the energetic catalysis that supports life on Earth. Yet these natural protein structures carry an evolutionary legacy of complexity and fragility that encumbers protein reengineering efforts and obfuscates the underlying design rules for light-driven charge separation. De novo development of a simplified photosynthetic reaction center protein can clarify practical engineering principles needed to build new enzymes for efficient solar-to-fuel energy conversion. Here, we report the rational design, X-ray crystal structure, and electron transfer activity of a multi-cofactor protein that incorporates essential elements of photosynthetic reaction centers. This highly stable, modular artificial protein framework can be reconstituted in vitro with interchangeable redox centers for nanometer-scale photochemical charge separation. Transient absorption spectroscopy demonstrates Photosystem II-like tyrosine and metal cluster oxidation, and we measure charge separation lifetimes exceeding 100 ms, ideal for light-activated catalysis. This de novo-designed reaction center builds upon engineering guidelines established for charge separation in earlier synthetic photochemical triads and modified natural proteins, and it shows how synthetic biology may lead to a new generation of genetically encoded, light-powered catalysts for solar fuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M Ennist
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA. .,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Zhenyu Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA
| | - Steven E Stayrook
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.,Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University West Campus, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Bohdana M Discher
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA
| | - P Leslie Dutton
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA
| | - Christopher C Moser
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA
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14
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Koebke KJ, Pinter TBJ, Pitts WC, Pecoraro VL. Catalysis and Electron Transfer in De Novo Designed Metalloproteins. Chem Rev 2022; 122:12046-12109. [PMID: 35763791 PMCID: PMC10735231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c01025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmark advances in our understanding of metalloprotein function is showcased in our ability to design new, non-native, catalytically active protein scaffolds. This review highlights progress and milestone achievements in the field of de novo metalloprotein design focused on reports from the past decade with special emphasis on de novo designs couched within common subfields of bioinorganic study: heme binding proteins, monometal- and dimetal-containing catalytic sites, and metal-containing electron transfer sites. Within each subfield, we highlight several of what we have identified as significant and important contributions to either our understanding of that subfield or de novo metalloprotein design as a discipline. These reports are placed in context both historically and scientifically. General suggestions for future directions that we feel will be important to advance our understanding or accelerate discovery are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl J. Koebke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | | | - Winston C. Pitts
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
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15
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Abstract
Natural metalloproteins perform many functions - ranging from sensing to electron transfer and catalysis - in which the position and property of each ligand and metal, is dictated by protein structure. De novo protein design aims to define an amino acid sequence that encodes a specific structure and function, providing a critical test of the hypothetical inner workings of (metallo)proteins. To date, de novo metalloproteins have used simple, symmetric tertiary structures - uncomplicated by the large size and evolutionary marks of natural proteins - to interrogate structure-function hypotheses. In this Review, we discuss de novo design applications, such as proteins that induce complex, increasingly asymmetric ligand geometries to achieve function, as well as the use of more canonical ligand geometries to achieve stability. De novo design has been used to explore how proteins fine-tune redox potentials and catalyse both oxidative and hydrolytic reactions. With an increased understanding of structure-function relationships, functional proteins including O2-dependent oxidases, fast hydrolases, and multi-proton/multi-electron reductases, have been created. In addition, proteins can now be designed using xeno-biological metals or cofactors and principles from inorganic chemistry to derive new-to-nature functions. These results and the advances in computational protein design suggest a bright future for the de novo design of diverse, functional metalloproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Chalkley
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, (CA), USA
| | - Samuel I. Mann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, (CA), USA
| | - William F. DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, (CA), USA
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16
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A bound iron porphyrin is redox active in hybrid bacterial reaction centers modified to possess a four-helix bundle domain. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2021; 21:91-99. [PMID: 34850374 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-021-00142-7] [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: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In this paper we report the design of hybrid reaction centers with a novel redox-active cofactor. Reaction centers perform the primary photochemistry of photosynthesis, namely the light-induced transfer of an electron from the bacteriochlorophyll dimer to a series of electron acceptors. Hybrid complexes were created by the fusion of an artificial four-helix bundle to the M-subunit of the reaction center. Despite the large modification, optical spectra show that the purified hybrid reaction centers assemble as active complexes that retain the characteristic cofactor absorption peaks and are capable of light-induced charge separation. The four-helix bundle could bind iron-protoporphyrin in either a reduced and oxidized state. After binding iron-protoporphyrin to the hybrid reaction centers, light excitation results in a new derivative signal with a maximum at 402 nm and minimum at 429 nm. This signal increases in amplitude with longer light durations and persists in the dark. No signal is observed when iron-protoporphyrin is added to reaction centers without the four-helix bundle domain or when a redox-inactive zinc-protoporphyrin is bound. The results are consistent with the signal arising from a new redox reaction, electron transfer from the iron-protoporphyrin to the oxidized bacteriochlorophyll dimer. These outcomes demonstrate the feasibility of binding porphyrins to the hybrid reaction centers to gain new light-driven functions.
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17
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Woolfson DN. A Brief History of De Novo Protein Design: Minimal, Rational, and Computational. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167160. [PMID: 34298061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Protein design has come of age, but how will it mature? In the 1980s and the 1990s, the primary motivation for de novo protein design was to test our understanding of the informational aspect of the protein-folding problem; i.e., how does protein sequence determine protein structure and function? This necessitated minimal and rational design approaches whereby the placement of each residue in a design was reasoned using chemical principles and/or biochemical knowledge. At that time, though with some notable exceptions, the use of computers to aid design was not widespread. Over the past two decades, the tables have turned and computational protein design is firmly established. Here, I illustrate this progress through a timeline of de novo protein structures that have been solved to atomic resolution and deposited in the Protein Data Bank. From this, it is clear that the impact of rational and computational design has been considerable: More-complex and more-sophisticated designs are being targeted with many being resolved to atomic resolution. Furthermore, our ability to generate and manipulate synthetic proteins has advanced to a point where they are providing realistic alternatives to natural protein functions for applications both in vitro and in cells. Also, and increasingly, computational protein design is becoming accessible to non-specialists. This all begs the questions: Is there still a place for minimal and rational design approaches? And, what challenges lie ahead for the burgeoning field of de novo protein design as a whole?
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK; School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Bristol BioDesign Institute, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK.
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18
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Roda S, Robles-Martín A, Xiang R, Kazemi M, Guallar V. Structural-Based Modeling in Protein Engineering. A Must Do. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:6491-6500. [PMID: 34106727 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c02545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Biotechnological solutions will be a key aspect in our immediate future society, where optimized enzymatic processes through enzyme engineering might be an important solution for waste transformation, clean energy production, biodegradable materials, and green chemistry, for example. Here we advocate the importance of structural-based bioinformatics and molecular modeling tools in such developments. We summarize our recent experiences indicating a great prediction/success ratio, and we suggest that an early in silico phase should be performed in enzyme engineering studies. Moreover, we demonstrate the potential of a new technique combining Rosetta and PELE, which could provide a faster and more automated procedure, an essential aspect for a broader use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Roda
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | | | - Ruite Xiang
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Masoud Kazemi
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Victor Guallar
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona 08034, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona 08010, Spain
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19
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Dai J, Knott GJ, Fu W, Lin TW, Furst AL, Britt RD, Francis MB. Protein-Embedded Metalloporphyrin Arrays Templated by Circularly Permuted Tobacco Mosaic Virus Coat Proteins. ACS NANO 2021; 15:8110-8119. [PMID: 33285072 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c07165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bioenergetic processes in nature have relied on networks of cofactors for harvesting, storing, and transforming the energy from sunlight into chemical bonds. Models mimicking the structural arrangement and functional crosstalk of the cofactor arrays are important tools to understand the basic science of natural systems and to provide guidance for non-natural functional biomaterials. Here, we report an artificial multiheme system based on a circular permutant of the tobacco mosaic virus coat protein (cpTMV). The double disk assembly of cpTMV presents a gap region sandwiched by the two C2-symmetrically related disks. Non-native bis-his coordination sites formed by the mutation of the residues in this gap region were computationally screened and experimentally tested. A cpTMV mutant Q101H was identified to create a circular assembly of 17 protein-embedded hemes. Biophysical characterization using X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) suggested both structural and functional similarity to natural multiheme cytochrome c proteins. This protein framework offers many further engineering opportunities for tuning the redox properties of the cofactors and incorporating non-native components bearing varied porphyrin structures and metal centers. Emulating the electron transfer pathways in nature using a tunable artificial system can contribute to the development of photocatalytic materials and bioelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Dai
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Gavin J Knott
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Wen Fu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Tiffany W Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Late Stage Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Ariel L Furst
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - R David Britt
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Matthew B Francis
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division and Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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20
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Baumgart M, Röpke M, Mühlbauer ME, Asami S, Mader SL, Fredriksson K, Groll M, Gamiz-Hernandez AP, Kaila VRI. Design of buried charged networks in artificial proteins. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1895. [PMID: 33767131 PMCID: PMC7994573 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21909-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluble proteins are universally packed with a hydrophobic core and a polar surface that drive the protein folding process. Yet charged networks within the central protein core are often indispensable for the biological function. Here, we show that natural buried ion-pairs are stabilised by amphiphilic residues that electrostatically shield the charged motif from its surroundings to gain structural stability. To explore this effect, we build artificial proteins with buried ion-pairs by combining directed computational design and biophysical experiments. Our findings illustrate how perturbation in charged networks can introduce structural rearrangements to compensate for desolvation effects. We validate the physical principles by resolving high-resolution atomic structures of the artificial proteins that are resistant towards unfolding at extreme temperatures and harsh chemical conditions. Our findings provide a molecular understanding of functional charged networks and how point mutations may alter the protein’s conformational landscape. Buried charged networks in proteins are often important for their biological functionality and are believed to destabilise the protein fold. Here, the authors combine computational design, MD simulations, biophysical experiments, NMR and X-ray crystallography to design and characterise artificial 4α-helical proteins with buried charged elements. They analyse their conformational landscapes and observe that the ion-pairs are stabilised by amphiphilic residues that electrostatically shield the charged motif, which increases structural stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Baumgart
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Michael Röpke
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Max E Mühlbauer
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Sam Asami
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Sophie L Mader
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Kai Fredriksson
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Michael Groll
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Ana P Gamiz-Hernandez
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ville R I Kaila
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany. .,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden.
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21
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Ferrando J, Solomon LA. Recent Progress Using De Novo Design to Study Protein Structure, Design and Binding Interactions. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11030225. [PMID: 33802210 PMCID: PMC7999464 DOI: 10.3390/life11030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo protein design is a powerful methodology used to study natural functions in an artificial-protein context. Since its inception, it has been used to reproduce a plethora of reactions and uncover biophysical principles that are often difficult to extract from direct studies of natural proteins. Natural proteins are capable of assuming a variety of different structures and subsequently binding ligands at impressively high levels of both specificity and affinity. Here, we will review recent examples of de novo design studies on binding reactions for small molecules, nucleic acids, and the formation of protein-protein interactions. We will then discuss some new structural advances in the field. Finally, we will discuss some advancements in computational modeling and design approaches and provide an overview of some modern algorithmic tools being used to design these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ferrando
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
| | - Lee A. Solomon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +703-993-6418
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22
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Makhlynets OV, Caputo GA. Characteristics and therapeutic applications of antimicrobial peptides. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2021; 2:011301. [PMID: 38505398 PMCID: PMC10903410 DOI: 10.1063/5.0035731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The demand for novel antimicrobial compounds is rapidly growing due to the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In response, numerous alternative approaches are being taken including use of polymers, metals, combinatorial approaches, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are a naturally occurring part of the immune system of all higher organisms and display remarkable broad-spectrum activity and high selectivity for bacterial cells over host cells. However, despite good activity and safety profiles, AMPs have struggled to find success in the clinic. In this review, we outline the fundamental properties of AMPs that make them effective antimicrobials and extend this into three main approaches being used to help AMPs become viable clinical options. These three approaches are the incorporation of non-natural amino acids into the AMP sequence to impart better pharmacological properties, the incorporation of AMPs in hydrogels, and the chemical modification of surfaces with AMPs for device applications. These approaches are being developed to enhance the biocompatibility, stability, and/or bioavailability of AMPs as clinical options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Makhlynets
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA
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23
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Substrate promiscuity of a de novo designed peroxidase. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 217:111370. [PMID: 33621939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The design and construction of de novo enzymes offer potentially facile routes to exploiting powerful chemistries in robust, expressible and customisable protein frameworks, while providing insight into natural enzyme function. To this end, we have recently demonstrated extensive catalytic promiscuity in a heme-containing de novo protein, C45. The diverse transformations that C45 catalyses include substrate oxidation, dehalogenation and carbon‑carbon bond formation. Here we explore the substrate promiscuity of C45's peroxidase activity, screening the de novo enzyme against a panel of peroxidase and dehaloperoxidase substrates. Consistent with the function of natural peroxidases, C45 exhibits a broad spectrum of substrate activities with selectivity dictated primarily by the redox potential of the substrate, and by extension, the active oxidising species in peroxidase chemistry, compounds I and II. Though the comparison of these redox potentials provides a threshold for determining activity for a given substrate, substrate:protein interactions are also likely to play a significant role in determining electron transfer rates from substrate to heme, affecting the kinetic parameters of the enzyme. We also used biomolecular simulation to screen substrates against a computational model of C45 to identify potential interactions and binding sites. Several sites of interest in close proximity to the heme cofactor were discovered, providing insight into the catalytic workings of C45.
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24
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Abstract
The field of de novo protein design has met with considerable success over the past few decades. Heme, a cofactor, has often been introduced to impart a diverse array of functions to a protein, ranging from electron transport to respiration. In nature, heme is found to occur predominantly in α-helical structures over β-sheets, which has resulted in significant designs of heme proteins utilizing coiled-coil helices. By contrast, there are only a few known β-sheet proteins that bind heme and designs of β-sheets frequently result in amyloid-like aggregates. This review reflects on our success in designing a series of multistranded β-sheet heme binding peptides that are well folded in both aqueous and membrane-like environments. Initially, we designed a β-hairpin peptide that self-assembles to bind heme and performs peroxidase activity in membrane. The β-hairpin was optimized further to accommodate a heme binding pocket within multistranded β-sheets for catalysis and electron transfer in membranes. Furthermore, we de novo designed and characterized β-sheet peptides and miniproteins that are soluble in an aqueous environment capable of binding single and multiple hemes with high affinity and stability. Collectively, these studies highlight the substantial progress made toward the design of functional β-sheets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areetha D'Souza
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
| | - Surajit Bhattacharjya
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
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25
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Mann SI, Nayak A, Gassner GT, Therien MJ, DeGrado WF. De Novo Design, Solution Characterization, and Crystallographic Structure of an Abiological Mn-Porphyrin-Binding Protein Capable of Stabilizing a Mn(V) Species. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:252-259. [PMID: 33373215 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c10136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
De novo protein design offers the opportunity to test our understanding of how metalloproteins perform difficult transformations. Attaining high-resolution structural information is critical to understanding how such designs function. There have been many successes in the design of porphyrin-binding proteins; however, crystallographic characterization has been elusive, limiting what can be learned from such studies as well as the extension to new functions. Moreover, formation of highly oxidizing high-valent intermediates poses design challenges that have not been previously implemented: (1) purposeful design of substrate/oxidant access to the binding site and (2) limiting deleterious oxidation of the protein scaffold. Here we report the first crystallographically characterized porphyrin-binding protein that was programmed to not only bind a synthetic Mn-porphyrin but also maintain binding site access to form high-valent oxidation states. We explicitly designed a binding site with accessibility to dioxygen units in the open coordination site of the Mn center. In solution, the protein is capable of accessing a high-valent Mn(V)-oxo species which can transfer an O atom to a thioether substrate. The crystallographic structure is within 0.6 Å of the design and indeed contained an aquo ligand with a second water molecule stabilized by hydrogen bonding to a Gln side chain in the active site, offering a structural explanation for the observed reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel I Mann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158-9001, United States
| | - Animesh Nayak
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - George T Gassner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California 94132, United States
| | - Michael J Therien
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - William F DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158-9001, United States
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26
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Pirro F, Schmidt N, Lincoff J, Widel ZX, Polizzi NF, Liu L, Therien MJ, Grabe M, Chino M, Lombardi A, DeGrado WF. Allosteric cooperation in a de novo-designed two-domain protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:33246-33253. [PMID: 33318174 PMCID: PMC7776816 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2017062117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the de novo design of an allosterically regulated protein, which comprises two tightly coupled domains. One domain is based on the DF (Due Ferri in Italian or two-iron in English) family of de novo proteins, which have a diiron cofactor that catalyzes a phenol oxidase reaction, while the second domain is based on PS1 (Porphyrin-binding Sequence), which binds a synthetic Zn-porphyrin (ZnP). The binding of ZnP to the original PS1 protein induces changes in structure and dynamics, which we expected to influence the catalytic rate of a fused DF domain when appropriately coupled. Both DF and PS1 are four-helix bundles, but they have distinct bundle architectures. To achieve tight coupling between the domains, they were connected by four helical linkers using a computational method to discover the most designable connections capable of spanning the two architectures. The resulting protein, DFP1 (Due Ferri Porphyrin), bound the two cofactors in the expected manner. The crystal structure of fully reconstituted DFP1 was also in excellent agreement with the design, and it showed the ZnP cofactor bound over 12 Å from the dimetal center. Next, a substrate-binding cleft leading to the diiron center was introduced into DFP1. The resulting protein acts as an allosterically modulated phenol oxidase. Its Michaelis-Menten parameters were strongly affected by the binding of ZnP, resulting in a fourfold tighter Km and a 7-fold decrease in kcat These studies establish the feasibility of designing allosterically regulated catalytic proteins, entirely from scratch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Pirro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Nathan Schmidt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158-9001
| | - James Lincoff
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158-9001
| | - Zachary X Widel
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0346
| | - Nicholas F Polizzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158-9001
| | - Lijun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, 518055 Shenzhen, China
- DLX Scientific, Lawrence, KS 66049
| | | | - Michael Grabe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158-9001
| | - Marco Chino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Lombardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - William F DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158-9001;
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27
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Small-residue packing motifs modulate the structure and function of a minimal de novo membrane protein. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15203. [PMID: 32938984 PMCID: PMC7495484 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71585-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-helical integral membrane proteins contain conserved sequence motifs that are known to be important in helix packing. These motifs are a promising starting point for the construction of artificial proteins, but their potential has not yet been fully explored. Here, we study the impact of introducing a common natural helix packing motif to the transmembrane domain of a genetically-encoded and structurally dynamic de novo membrane protein. The resulting construct is an artificial four-helix bundle with lipophilic regions that are defined only by the amino acids L, G, S, A and W. This minimal proto-protein could be recombinantly expressed by diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts and was found to co-sediment with cellular membranes. The protein could be extracted and purified in surfactant micelles and was monodisperse and stable in vitro, with sufficient structural definition to support the rapid binding of a heme cofactor. The reduction in conformational diversity imposed by this design also enhances the nascent peroxidase activity of the protein-heme complex. Unexpectedly, strains of Escherichia coli expressing this artificial protein specifically accumulated zinc protoporphyrin IX, a rare cofactor that is not used by natural metalloenzymes. Our results demonstrate that simple sequence motifs can rigidify elementary membrane proteins, and that orthogonal artificial membrane proteins can influence the cofactor repertoire of a living cell. These findings have implications for rational protein design and synthetic biology.
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28
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Mancini JA, Pike DH, Tyryshkin AM, Haramaty L, Wang MS, Poudel S, Hecht M, Nanda V. Design of a Fe 4 S 4 cluster into the core of a de novo four-helix bundle. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2020; 67:574-585. [PMID: 32770861 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We explore the capacity of the de novo protein, S824, to incorporate a multinuclear iron-sulfur cluster within the core of a single-chain four-helix bundle. This topology has a high intrinsic designability because sequences are constrained largely by the pattern of hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids, thereby allowing for the extensive substitution of individual side chains. Libraries of novel proteins based on these constraints have surprising functional potential and have been shown to complement the deletion of essential genes in E. coli. Our structure-based design of four first-shell cysteine ligands, one per helix, in S824 resulted in successful incorporation of a cubane Fe4 S4 cluster into the protein core. A number of challenges were encountered during the design and characterization process, including nonspecific metal-induced aggregation and the presence of competing metal-cluster stoichiometries. The introduction of buried iron-sulfur clusters into the helical bundle is an initial step toward converting libraries of designed structures into functional de novo proteins with catalytic or electron-transfer functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Mancini
- Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology Program, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Douglas H Pike
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Alexei M Tyryshkin
- Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology Program, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Liti Haramaty
- Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology Program, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Michael S Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Saroj Poudel
- Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology Program, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Michael Hecht
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Vikas Nanda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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29
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Sutherland GA, Polak D, Swainsbury DJK, Wang S, Spano FC, Auman DB, Bossanyi DG, Pidgeon JP, Hitchcock A, Musser AJ, Anthony JE, Dutton PL, Clark J, Hunter CN. A Thermostable Protein Matrix for Spectroscopic Analysis of Organic Semiconductors. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:13898-13907. [PMID: 32672948 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c05477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Advances in protein design and engineering have yielded peptide assemblies with enhanced and non-native functionalities. Here, various molecular organic semiconductors (OSCs), with known excitonic up- and down-conversion properties, are attached to a de novo-designed protein, conferring entirely novel functions on the peptide scaffolds. The protein-OSC complexes form similarly sized, stable, water-soluble nanoparticles that are robust to cryogenic freezing and processing into the solid-state. The peptide matrix enables the formation of protein-OSC-trehalose glasses that fix the proteins in their folded states under oxygen-limited conditions. The encapsulation dramatically enhances the stability of protein-OSC complexes to photodamage, increasing the lifetime of the chromophores from several hours to more than 10 weeks under constant illumination. Comparison of the photophysical properties of astaxanthin aggregates in mixed-solvent systems and proteins shows that the peptide environment does not alter the underlying electronic processes of the incorporated materials, exemplified here by singlet exciton fission followed by separation into weakly bound, localized triplets. This adaptable protein-based approach lays the foundation for spectroscopic assessment of a broad range of molecular OSCs in aqueous solutions and the solid-state, circumventing the laborious procedure of identifying the experimental conditions necessary for aggregate generation or film formation. The non-native protein functions also raise the prospect of future biocompatible devices where peptide assemblies could complex with native and non-native systems to generate novel functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Sutherland
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Daniel Polak
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, U.K
| | - David J K Swainsbury
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Shuangqing Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, U.K
| | - Frank C Spano
- Department of Chemistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Dirk B Auman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - David G Bossanyi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, U.K
| | - James P Pidgeon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, U.K
| | - Andrew Hitchcock
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Andrew J Musser
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, U.K
| | - John E Anthony
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Kentucky 40511, United States
| | - P Leslie Dutton
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Jenny Clark
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, U.K
| | - C Neil Hunter
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
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30
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Leone L, Chino M, Nastri F, Maglio O, Pavone V, Lombardi A. Mimochrome, a metalloporphyrin‐based catalytic Swiss knife†. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2020; 67:495-515. [DOI: 10.1002/bab.1985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Leone
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Napoli “Federico II” Napoli Italy
| | - Marco Chino
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Napoli “Federico II” Napoli Italy
| | - Flavia Nastri
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Napoli “Federico II” Napoli Italy
| | - Ornella Maglio
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Napoli “Federico II” Napoli Italy
- IBB ‐ National Research Council Napoli Italy
| | - Vincenzo Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Napoli “Federico II” Napoli Italy
| | - Angela Lombardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Napoli “Federico II” Napoli Italy
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31
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Designing minimalist membrane proteins. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 47:1233-1245. [PMID: 31671181 PMCID: PMC6824673 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The construction of artificial membrane proteins from first principles is of fundamental interest and holds considerable promise for new biotechnologies. This review considers the potential advantages of adopting a strictly minimalist approach to the process of membrane protein design. As well as the practical benefits of miniaturisation and simplicity for understanding sequence-structure-function relationships, minimalism should also support the abstract conceptualisation of membrane proteins as modular components for synthetic biology. These ideas are illustrated with selected examples that focus upon α-helical membrane proteins, and which demonstrate how such minimalist membrane proteins might be integrated into living biosystems.
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32
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Abstract
While the bottom-up design of enzymes appears to be an intractably complex problem, a minimal approach that combines elementary, de novo-designed proteins with intrinsically reactive cofactors offers a simple means to rapidly access sophisticated catalytic mechanisms. Not only is this method proven in the reproduction of powerful oxidative chemistry of the natural peroxidase enzymes, but we show here that it extends to the efficient, abiological—and often asymmetric—formation of strained cyclopropane rings, nitrogen–carbon and carbon–carbon bonds, and the ring expansion of a simple cyclic molecule to form a precursor for NAD+, a fundamentally important biological cofactor. That the enzyme also functions in vivo paves the way for its incorporation into engineered biosynthetic pathways within living organisms. By constructing an in vivo-assembled, catalytically proficient peroxidase, C45, we have recently demonstrated the catalytic potential of simple, de novo-designed heme proteins. Here, we show that C45’s enzymatic activity extends to the efficient and stereoselective intermolecular transfer of carbenes to olefins, heterocycles, aldehydes, and amines. Not only is this a report of carbene transferase activity in a completely de novo protein, but also of enzyme-catalyzed ring expansion of aromatic heterocycles via carbene transfer by any enzyme.
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33
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Jeong WJ, Yu J, Song WJ. Proteins as diverse, efficient, and evolvable scaffolds for artificial metalloenzymes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:9586-9599. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cc03137b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
We have extracted and categorized the desirable properties of proteins that are adapted as the scaffolds for artificial metalloenzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Jae Jeong
- Department of Chemistry
- Seoul National University
- Seoul 08826
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeseung Yu
- Department of Chemistry
- Seoul National University
- Seoul 08826
- Republic of Korea
| | - Woon Ju Song
- Department of Chemistry
- Seoul National University
- Seoul 08826
- Republic of Korea
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34
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Alonso S, Santiago G, Cea-Rama I, Fernandez-Lopez L, Coscolín C, Modregger J, Ressmann AK, Martínez-Martínez M, Marrero H, Bargiela R, Pita M, Gonzalez-Alfonso JL, Briand ML, Rojo D, Barbas C, Plou FJ, Golyshin PN, Shahgaldian P, Sanz-Aparicio J, Guallar V, Ferrer M. Genetically engineered proteins with two active sites for enhanced biocatalysis and synergistic chemo- and biocatalysis. Nat Catal 2019. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-019-0394-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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35
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Engineering Metalloprotein Functions in Designed and Native Scaffolds. Trends Biochem Sci 2019; 44:1022-1040. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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36
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Grayson KJ, Anderson JLR. Designed for life: biocompatible de novo designed proteins and components. J R Soc Interface 2019; 15:rsif.2018.0472. [PMID: 30158186 PMCID: PMC6127164 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A principal goal of synthetic biology is the de novo design or redesign of biomolecular components. In addition to revealing fundamentally important information regarding natural biomolecular engineering and biochemistry, functional building blocks will ultimately be provided for applications including the manufacture of valuable products and therapeutics. To fully realize this ambitious goal, the designed components must be biocompatible, working in concert with natural biochemical processes and pathways, while not adversely affecting cellular function. For example, de novo protein design has provided us with a wide repertoire of structures and functions, including those that can be assembled and function in vivo. Here we discuss such biocompatible designs, as well as others that have the potential to become biocompatible, including non-protein molecules, and routes to achieving full biological integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie J Grayson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - J L Ross Anderson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK .,BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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37
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Towards functional de novo designed proteins. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 52:102-111. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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38
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Mancini JA, Sheehan M, Kodali G, Chow BY, Bryant DA, Dutton PL, Moser CC. De novo synthetic biliprotein design, assembly and excitation energy transfer. J R Soc Interface 2019; 15:rsif.2018.0021. [PMID: 29618529 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bilins are linear tetrapyrrole chromophores with a wide range of visible and near-visible light absorption and emission properties. These properties are tuned upon binding to natural proteins and exploited in photosynthetic light-harvesting and non-photosynthetic light-sensitive signalling. These pigmented proteins are now being manipulated to develop fluorescent experimental tools. To engineer the optical properties of bound bilins for specific applications more flexibly, we have used first principles of protein folding to design novel, stable and highly adaptable bilin-binding four-α-helix bundle protein frames, called maquettes, and explored the minimal requirements underlying covalent bilin ligation and conformational restriction responsible for the strong and variable absorption, fluorescence and excitation energy transfer of these proteins. Biliverdin, phycocyanobilin and phycoerythrobilin bind covalently to maquette Cys in vitro A blue-shifted tripyrrole formed from maquette-bound phycocyanobilin displays a quantum yield of 26%. Although unrelated in fold and sequence to natural phycobiliproteins, bilin lyases nevertheless interact with maquettes during co-expression in Escherichia coli to improve the efficiency of bilin binding and influence bilin structure. Bilins bind in vitro and in vivo to Cys residues placed in loops, towards the amino end or in the middle of helices but bind poorly at the carboxyl end of helices. Bilin-binding efficiency and fluorescence yield are improved by Arg and Asp residues adjacent to the ligating Cys on the same helix and by His residues on adjacent helices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Mancini
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Molly Sheehan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Goutham Kodali
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian Y Chow
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Donald A Bryant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - P Leslie Dutton
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher C Moser
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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39
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Selvan D, Prasad P, Farquhar ER, Shi Y, Crane S, Zhang Y, Chakraborty S. Redesign of a Copper Storage Protein into an Artificial Hydrogenase. ACS Catal 2019; 9:5847-5859. [PMID: 31341700 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.9b00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
We report the construction of an artificial hydrogenase (ArH) by reengineering a Cu storage protein (Cspl) into a Ni-binding protein (NBP) employing rational metalloprotein design. The hypothesis driven design approach involved deleting existing Cu sites of Csp1 and identification of a target tetrathiolate Ni binding site within the protein scaffold followed by repacking the hydrophobic core. Guided by modeling, the NBP was expressed and purified in high purity. NBP is a well-folded and stable construct displaying native-like unfolding behavior. Spectroscopic and computational studies indicated that the NBP bound nickel in a distorted square planar geometry that validated the design. Ni(II)-NBP is active for photo-induced H2 evolution following a reductive quenching mechanism. Ni(II)-NBP catalyzed H+ reduction to H2 gas electrochemically as well. Analysis of the catalytic voltammograms established a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanism. Electrolysis studies confirmed H2 evolution with quantitative Faradaic yields. Our studies demonstrate an important scope of rational metalloprotein design that allows imparting functions into protein scaffolds that have natively not evolved to possess the same function of the target metalloprotein constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanashree Selvan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Pallavi Prasad
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Erik R. Farquhar
- Case Western Reserve University Center for Synchrotron Biosciences, NSLS-II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Yelu Shi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
| | - Skyler Crane
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
| | - Saumen Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
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40
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Lin Y. Rational design of heme enzymes for biodegradation of pollutants toward a green future. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2019; 67:484-494. [DOI: 10.1002/bab.1788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ying‐Wu Lin
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering University of South China Hengyang People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Protein Structure and Function University of South China Hengyang People's Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory for the Design and Application of Actinide Complexes University of South China Hengyang People's Republic of China
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41
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Rhys GG, Wood CW, Beesley JL, Zaccai NR, Burton AJ, Brady RL, Thomson AR, Woolfson DN. Navigating the Structural Landscape of De Novo α-Helical Bundles. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:8787-8797. [PMID: 31066556 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b13354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The association of amphipathic α helices in water leads to α-helical-bundle protein structures. However, the driving force for this-the hydrophobic effect-is not specific and does not define the number or the orientation of helices in the associated state. Rather, this is achieved through deeper sequence-to-structure relationships, which are increasingly being discerned. For example, for one structurally extreme but nevertheless ubiquitous class of bundle-the α-helical coiled coils-relationships have been established that discriminate between all-parallel dimers, trimers, and tetramers. Association states above this are known, as are antiparallel and mixed arrangements of the helices. However, these alternative states are less well understood. Here, we describe a synthetic-peptide system that switches between parallel hexamers and various up-down-up-down tetramers in response to single-amino-acid changes and solution conditions. The main accessible states of each peptide variant are characterized fully in solution and, in most cases, to high resolution with X-ray crystal structures. Analysis and inspection of these structures helps rationalize the different states formed. This navigation of the structural landscape of α-helical coiled coils above the dimers and trimers that dominate in nature has allowed us to design rationally a well-defined and hyperstable antiparallel coiled-coil tetramer (apCC-Tet). This robust de novo protein provides another scaffold for further structural and functional designs in protein engineering and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guto G Rhys
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
| | - Christopher W Wood
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
| | - Joseph L Beesley
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
| | - Nathan R Zaccai
- School of Biochemistry , University of Bristol , Medical Sciences Building, University Walk , Bristol BS8 1TD , United Kingdom
| | - Antony J Burton
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
- Frick Chemistry Laboratory , Princeton University , Princeton , New Jersey 08544 , United States
| | - R Leo Brady
- School of Biochemistry , University of Bristol , Medical Sciences Building, University Walk , Bristol BS8 1TD , United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R Thomson
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry , University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ , United Kingdom
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
- School of Biochemistry , University of Bristol , Medical Sciences Building, University Walk , Bristol BS8 1TD , United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio , University of Bristol , Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue , Bristol BS8 1TQ , United Kingdom
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42
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Sun Z, Diebolder CA, Renault L, de Groot H. A Semisynthetic Peptide−Metalloporphyrin Responsive Matrix for Artificial Photosynthesis. CHEMPHOTOCHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cptc.201900063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwu Sun
- Leiden University Leiden Institute of Chemistry 2333 AL Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Christoph A. Diebolder
- Leiden University The Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy (NeCEN) 2333 AL Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Ludovic Renault
- Leiden University The Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy (NeCEN) 2333 AL Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Huub de Groot
- Leiden University Leiden Institute of Chemistry 2333 AL Leiden The Netherlands
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43
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Caselle EA, Yoon JH, Bhattacharya S, Rempillo JJ, Lengyel Z, D’Souza A, Moroz YS, Tolbert PL, Volkov AN, Forconi M, Castañeda CA, Makhlynets OV, Korendovych IV. Kemp Eliminases of the AlleyCat Family Possess High Substrate Promiscuity. ChemCatChem 2019; 11:1425-1430. [PMID: 31788134 PMCID: PMC6884320 DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201801994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Minimalist enzymes designed to catalyze model reactions provide useful starting points for creating catalysts for practically important chemical transformations. We have shown that Kemp eliminases of the AlleyCat family facilitate conversion of leflunomide (an immunosupressor pro-drug) to its active form teriflunomide with outstanding rate enhancement (nearly four orders of magnitude) and catalytic proficiency (more than seven orders of magnitude) without any additional optimization. This remarkable activity is achieved by properly positioning the substrate in close proximity to the catalytic glutamate with very high pKa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Caselle
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Jennifer H. Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Sagar Bhattacharya
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Joel J.L. Rempillo
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Zsófia Lengyel
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Areetha D’Souza
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Yurii S. Moroz
- Department of Chemistry, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 64 Volodymyrska St., Kyiv 01601, Ukraine
| | - Patricia L. Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Alexander N. Volkov
- VIB Centre for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
- Jean Jeener NMR Cetre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Marcello Forconi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Charleston, 66 George St. Charleston, SC 29424, USA
| | - Carlos A. Castañeda
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Olga V. Makhlynets
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Ivan V. Korendovych
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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44
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Churchfield LA, Tezcan FA. Design and Construction of Functional Supramolecular Metalloprotein Assemblies. Acc Chem Res 2019; 52:345-355. [PMID: 30698941 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Nature puts to use only a small fraction of metal ions in the periodic table. Yet, when incorporated into protein scaffolds, this limited set of metal ions carry out innumerable cellular functions and execute essential biochemical transformations such as photochemical H2O oxidation, O2 or CO2 reduction, and N2 fixation, highlighting the outsized importance of metalloproteins in biology. Not surprisingly, elucidating the intricate interplay between metal ions and protein structures has been the focus of extensive structural and mechanistic scrutiny over the last several decades. As a result of such top-down efforts, we have gained a reasonably detailed understanding of how metal ions shape protein structures and how protein structures in turn influence metal reactivity. It is fair to say that we now have some idea-and in some cases, a good idea-about how most known metalloproteins function and we possess enough insight to quickly assess the modus operandi of newly discovered ones. However, translating this knowledge into an ability to construct functional metalloproteins from scratch represents a challenge at a whole different level: it is one thing to know how an automobile works; it is another to build one. In our quest to build new metalloproteins, we have taken an original approach in which folded, monomeric proteins are used as ligands or synthons for building supramolecular complexes through metal-mediated self-assembly (MDPSA, Metal-Directed Protein Self-Assembly). The interfaces in the resulting protein superstructures are subsequently tailored with covalent, noncovalent, or additional metal-coordination interactions for stabilization and incorporation of new functionalities (MeTIR, Metal Templated Interface Redesign). In an earlier Account, we had described the proof-of-principle studies for MDPSA and MeTIR, using a four-helix bundle, heme protein cytochrome cb562 (cyt cb562), as a model building block. By the end of those studies, we were able to demonstrate that a tetrameric, Zn-directed cyt cb562 complex (Zn4:M14) could be stabilized through computationally prescribed noncovalent interactions inserted into the nascent protein-protein interfaces. In this Account, we first describe the rationale and motivation for our particular metalloprotein engineering strategy and a brief summary of our earlier work. We then describe the next steps in the "evolution" of bioinorganic complexity on the Zn4:M14 scaffold, namely, (a) the generation of a self-standing protein assembly that can stably and selectively bind metal ions, (b) the creation of reactive metal centers within the protein assembly, and (c) the coupling of metal coordination and reactivity to external stimuli through allosteric effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis A. Churchfield
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0356, United States
| | - F. Akif Tezcan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0356, United States
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45
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Nakano K, Horiuchi J, Hirata S, Yamanaka M, Himeno T, Ishimatsu R. Folding and Assembly of Vanilloid Receptor Secondary-Structure Peptide with Hexahistidine Linker at Nickel-Nitrilotriacetic Acid Monolayer for Capsaicin Recognition. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:2047-2054. [PMID: 30605338 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b03202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report the self-assembly of a synthetic vanilloid receptor (VR) peptide that selectively binds capsaicin. We synthesized a 26-mer peptide-YSEILFFVQS-HHHHHH-LAMGWTNMLY (S3HS4)-comprising two chemoreceptor domains of transient receptor potential channel (TRPV1) linked by a hexahistidine sequence. High-speed atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging in water revealed that the peptide structures alternated rapidly between wedge shape and linear forms. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that 65% of the amide units in the peptide chain adopted an α-helix structure, which was ascribed to the chemoreceptor domains. S3HS4 developed well-packed monolayers at the Ni-treated thiolated nitrilotriacetic acid self-assembled monolayers by chelation of the hexahistidine segment, as characterized by infrared spectroscopy and AFM, which exhibited statistically constant specific height. Therefore, S3HS4 was expected to fold spontaneously upon chelation, and the resulting helix-turn-helix conformers developed films while uniformly oriented: the tilt angle was 69° from the surface normal to the substrate. According to microgravimetric analysis using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), the adsorption was 84 ± 47 pmol cm-2 ( n = 3), which was almost consistent with the saturation adsorption of an α-helix unit. We also used a QCM to investigate the host-guest reactions of S3HS4 and found that the S3HS4-attached QCM-chip-bound capsaicin with an apparent binding constant of (4.2 ± 3.6) × 104 M-1 ( n = 4), whereas there was no evidence of binding to vanillin or acetophenone. Two controls-a blank chip without S3HS4 and a chip modified with a single helical peptide (LAMGWTNMLY-HHHHHH)-produced no capsaicin response. To the best of our knowledge, S3HS4 is the first example of a synthetic VR mimic peptide. We believe that the present surface-directed structure-based design can be used to exploit the α-helix bundle in hexahistidine-linked bishelical peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Nakano
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering , Kyushu University , 744 Motooka , Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan
| | - Jun Horiuchi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering , Kyushu University , 744 Motooka , Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan
| | - Shingo Hirata
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering , Kyushu University , 744 Motooka , Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan
| | - Makoto Yamanaka
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering , Kyushu University , 744 Motooka , Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan
| | - Toshiki Himeno
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering , Kyushu University , 744 Motooka , Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan
| | - Ryoichi Ishimatsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering , Kyushu University , 744 Motooka , Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan
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46
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Sheehan MM, Magaraci MS, Kuznetsov IA, Mancini JA, Kodali G, Moser CC, Dutton PL, Chow BY. Rational Construction of Compact de Novo-Designed Biliverdin-Binding Proteins. Biochemistry 2018; 57:6752-6756. [PMID: 30468389 PMCID: PMC6293442 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report the rational construction of de novo-designed biliverdin-binding proteins by first principles of protein design, informed by energy minimization modeling in Rosetta. The self-assembling tetrahelical bundles bind biliverdin IXa (BV) cofactor autocatalytically in vitro, like photosensory proteins that bind BV (and related bilins or linear tetrapyrroles) despite lacking sequence and structural homology to the natural counterparts. Upon identification of a suitable site for ligation of the cofactor to the protein scaffold, stepwise placement of residues stabilized BV within the hydrophobic core. Rosetta modeling was used in the absence of a high-resolution structure to inform the structure-function relationships of the cofactor binding pocket. Holoprotein formation stabilized BV, resulting in increased far-red BV fluorescence. Via removal of segments extraneous to cofactor stabilization or bundle stability, the initial 15 kDa de novo-designed fluorescence-activating protein was truncated without any change to its optical properties, down to a miniature 10 kDa "mini", in which the protein scaffold extends only a half-heptad repeat beyond the hypothetical position of the bilin D-ring. This work demonstrates how highly compact holoprotein fluorochromes can be rationally constructed using de novo protein design technology and natural cofactors.
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47
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Lalaurie CJ, Dufour V, Meletiou A, Ratcliffe S, Harland A, Wilson O, Vamasiri C, Shoemark DK, Williams C, Arthur CJ, Sessions RB, Crump MP, Anderson JLR, Curnow P. The de novo design of a biocompatible and functional integral membrane protein using minimal sequence complexity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14564. [PMID: 30275547 PMCID: PMC6167376 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31964-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The de novo design of integral membrane proteins remains a major challenge in protein chemistry. Here, we describe the bottom-up design of a genetically-encoded synthetic membrane protein comprising only four amino acids (L, S, G and W) in the transmembrane domains. This artificial sequence, which we call REAMP for recombinantly expressed artificial membrane protein, is a single chain of 133 residues arranged into four antiparallel membrane-spanning α-helices. REAMP was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and localized to the cytoplasmic membrane with the intended transmembrane topology. Recombinant REAMP could be extracted from the cell membrane in detergent micelles and was robust and stable in vitro, containing helical secondary structure consistent with the original design. Engineered mono- and bis-histidine residues in the membrane domain of REAMP were able to coordinate heme in vitro, in a manner reminiscent of natural b-type cytochromes. This binding shifted the electrochemical potential of the cofactor, producing a synthetic hemoprotein capable of nascent redox catalysis. These results show that a highly reduced set of amino acids is sufficient to mimic some key properties of natural proteins, and that cellular biosynthesis is a viable route for the production of minimal de novo membrane sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Virginie Dufour
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK
| | - Anna Meletiou
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | | | - Olivia Wilson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Deborah K Shoemark
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK
| | - Christopher Williams
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Richard B Sessions
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK
| | - Matthew P Crump
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK
| | - J L Ross Anderson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK
| | - Paul Curnow
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. .,BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK.
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48
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Grayson KJ, Anderson JR. The ascent of man(made oxidoreductases). Curr Opin Struct Biol 2018; 51:149-155. [PMID: 29754103 PMCID: PMC6227378 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Though established 40 years ago, the field of de novo protein design has recently come of age, with new designs exhibiting an unprecedented level of sophistication in structure and function. With respect to catalysis, de novo enzymes promise to revolutionise the industrial production of useful chemicals and materials, while providing new biomolecules as plug-and-play components in the metabolic pathways of living cells. To this end, there are now de novo metalloenzymes that are assembled in vivo, including the recently reported C45 maquette, which can catalyse a variety of substrate oxidations with efficiencies rivalling those of closely related natural enzymes. Here we explore the successful design of this de novo enzyme, which was designed to minimise the undesirable complexity of natural proteins using a minimalistic bottom-up approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie J Grayson
- School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Jl Ross Anderson
- School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK; BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK.
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49
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Caserta G, Chino M, Firpo V, Zambrano G, Leone L, D'Alonzo D, Nastri F, Maglio O, Pavone V, Lombardi A. Enhancement of Peroxidase Activity in Artificial Mimochrome VI Catalysts through Rational Design. Chembiochem 2018; 19:1823-1826. [PMID: 29898243 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Rational design provides an attractive strategy to tune and control the reactivity of bioinspired catalysts. Although there has been considerable progress in the design of heme oxidase mimetics with active-site environments of ever-growing complexity and catalytic efficiency, their stability during turnover is still an open challenge. Herein, we show that the simple incorporation of two 2-aminoisobutyric acids into an artificial peptide-based peroxidase results in a new catalyst (FeIII -MC6*a) with higher resistance against oxidative damage and higher catalytic efficiency. The turnover number of this catalyst is twice as high as that of its predecessor. These results point out the protective role exerted by the peptide matrix and pave the way to the synthesis of robust bioinspired catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Caserta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy.,Present address: Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17 Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marco Chino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Firpo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Gerardo Zambrano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Linda Leone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniele D'Alonzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Flavia Nastri
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Ornella Maglio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy.,IBB, National Research Council, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Lombardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
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50
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Lishchuk A, Kodali G, Mancini JA, Broadbent M, Darroch B, Mass OA, Nabok A, Dutton PL, Hunter CN, Törmä P, Leggett GJ. A synthetic biological quantum optical system. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:13064-13073. [PMID: 29956712 PMCID: PMC6044288 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr02144a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In strong plasmon-exciton coupling, a surface plasmon mode is coupled to an array of localized emitters to yield new hybrid light-matter states (plexcitons), whose properties may in principle be controlled via modification of the arrangement of emitters. We show that plasmon modes are strongly coupled to synthetic light-harvesting maquette proteins, and that the coupling can be controlled via alteration of the protein structure. For maquettes with a single chlorin binding site, the exciton energy (2.06 ± 0.07 eV) is close to the expected energy of the Qy transition. However, for maquettes containing two chlorin binding sites that are collinear in the field direction, an exciton energy of 2.20 ± 0.01 eV is obtained, intermediate between the energies of the Qx and Qy transitions of the chlorin. This observation is attributed to strong coupling of the LSPR to an H-dimer state not observed under weak coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lishchuk
- Department of Chemistry
, University of Sheffield
,
Brook Hill
, Sheffield S3 7HF
, UK
.
| | - Goutham Kodali
- The Johnson Research Foundation and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
, University of Pennsylvania
,
Philadelphia
, PA 10104
, USA
| | - Joshua A. Mancini
- The Johnson Research Foundation and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
, University of Pennsylvania
,
Philadelphia
, PA 10104
, USA
| | - Matthew Broadbent
- Department of Chemistry
, University of Sheffield
,
Brook Hill
, Sheffield S3 7HF
, UK
.
| | - Brice Darroch
- Department of Chemistry
, University of Sheffield
,
Brook Hill
, Sheffield S3 7HF
, UK
.
| | - Olga A. Mass
- N. Carolina State University
, Department of Chemistry
,
Raleigh
, NC 27695
, USA
| | - Alexei Nabok
- Materials and Engineering Research Institute
, Sheffield Hallam University
,
Howard St
, Sheffield S1 1WB
, UK
| | - P. Leslie Dutton
- The Johnson Research Foundation and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
, University of Pennsylvania
,
Philadelphia
, PA 10104
, USA
| | - C. Neil Hunter
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
, University of Sheffield
,
Western Bank
, Sheffield S10 2TN
, UK
| | - Päivi Törmä
- COMP Centre of Excellence
, Department of Applied Physics
, Aalto University
, School of Science
,
P.O. Box 15100
, 00076 Aalto
, Finland
| | - Graham J. Leggett
- Department of Chemistry
, University of Sheffield
,
Brook Hill
, Sheffield S3 7HF
, UK
.
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