1
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Dong F, Lojko P, Bazzone A, Bernhard F, Borodina I. Transporter function characterization via continuous-exchange cell-free synthesis and solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 159:108732. [PMID: 38810322 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108732] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Functional characterization of transporters is impeded by the high cost and technical challenges of current transporter assays. Thus, in this work, we developed a new characterization workflow that combines cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) and solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology (SSME). For this, membrane protein synthesis was accomplished in a continuous exchange cell-free system (CECF) in the presence of nanodiscs. The resulting transporters expressed in nanodiscs were incorporated into proteoliposomes and assayed in the presence of different substrates using the surface electrogenic event reader. As a proof of concept, we validated this workflow to express and characterize five diverse transporters: the drug/H+-coupled antiporters EmrE and SugE, the lactose permease LacY, the Na+/H+ antiporter NhaA from Escherichia coli, and the mitochondrial carrier AAC2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. For all transporters kinetic parameters, such as KM, IMAX, and pH dependency, were evaluated. This robust and expedite workflow (e.g., can be executed within only five workdays) offers a convenient direct functional assessment of transporter protein activity and has the ability to facilitate applications of transporters in medical and biotechnological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Dong
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Pawel Lojko
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | | | - Frank Bernhard
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, J.W. Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Irina Borodina
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark.
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2
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Escobedo F, Gospalswamy M, Hägerbäumer P, Stank TJ, Victor J, Groth G, Gohlke H, Dargel C, Hellweg T, Etzkorn M. Characterization of size-tuneable aescin-lipid nanoparticles as platform for stabilization of membrane proteins. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 242:114071. [PMID: 39002202 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.114071] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Disc-like lipid nanoparticles stabilized by saponin biosurfactants display fascinating properties, including their temperature-driven re-organization. β-Aescin, a saponin from seed extract of the horse chestnut tree, shows strong interactions with lipid membranes and has gained interest due to its beneficial therapeutic implications as well as its ability to decompose continuous lipid membranes into size-tuneable discoidal nanoparticles. Here, we characterize lipid nanoparticles formed by aescin and the phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. We present site-resolved insights into central molecular interactions and their modulations by temperature and aescin content. Using the membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin, we additionally demonstrate that, under defined conditions, aescin-lipid discs can accommodate medium-sized transmembrane proteins. Our data reveal the general capability of this fascinating system to generate size-tuneable aescin-lipid-protein particles, opening the road for further applications in biochemical, biophysical and structural studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Escobedo
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physical Biology, Universitätsstr. 1, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany; Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH., Wilhelm-Johnen-Str, Jülich 52425, Germany
| | - Mohanraj Gospalswamy
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Universitätsstr. 1, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Pia Hägerbäumer
- Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, Bielefeld 33615, Germany
| | - Tim Julian Stank
- Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, Bielefeld 33615, Germany
| | - Julian Victor
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physical Biology, Universitätsstr. 1, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Georg Groth
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Biochemical Plant Physiology, Universitätsstr. 1, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Holger Gohlke
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Universitätsstr. 1, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany; Institute for Bio, and Geosciences (IBG-4: Bioinformatics), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH., Wilhelm-Johnen-Str, Jülich 52425, Germany
| | - Carina Dargel
- Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, Bielefeld 33615, Germany; Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 28/30, Münster 48149, Germany.
| | - Thomas Hellweg
- Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, Bielefeld 33615, Germany.
| | - Manuel Etzkorn
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physical Biology, Universitätsstr. 1, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany; Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH., Wilhelm-Johnen-Str, Jülich 52425, Germany.
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3
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Aucharova H, Klein A, Gomez SM, Söldner B, Vasa SK, Linser R. Protein deuteration via algal amino acids to circumvent proton back-exchange for 1H-detected solid-state NMR. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:3083-3086. [PMID: 38407363 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc00213j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
With perdeuteration, solid-state NMR spectroscopy of large proteins suffers from incomplete amide-proton back-exchange. Using a 72 kDa micro-crystalline protein, we show that deuteration exclusively via deuterated amino acids, well-established in solution to suppress sidechain protonation without proton back-exchange obstacles, provides spectral resolution comparable to perdeuterated preparations at intermediate spinning frequencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Aucharova
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, Dortmund 44227, Germany.
| | - Alexander Klein
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, Dortmund 44227, Germany.
| | - Sara Medina Gomez
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, Dortmund 44227, Germany.
| | - Benedikt Söldner
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, Dortmund 44227, Germany.
| | - Suresh K Vasa
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, Dortmund 44227, Germany.
| | - Rasmus Linser
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, Dortmund 44227, Germany.
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4
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Moser C, Muhle-Goll C. Cell-free protein production of a gamma secretase homolog. Protein Expr Purif 2024; 215:106407. [PMID: 38000778 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Cleavage of the transmembrane domain (TMD) of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) by γ-secretase, an intramembrane aspartyl protease, generates Aβ peptides of various lengths that form plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Although the debate has not been finally resolved whether these plaques trigger the onset of Alzheimer's or are side products, disease-related mutations suggest their implication in the etiology of the dementia. These occur both in presenilin, the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, and in the TMD of APP. Despite two seminal cryo-electron microscopy structures that show the complex of γ-secretase with its substrates APP and Notch, the mechanism of γ-secretase is not yet fully understood. Especially on which basis it selects its substrates is still an enigma. The presenilin homolog PSH from the archaeon Methanoculleus marisnigri JR1 (MCMJR1) is catalytically active without accessory proteins in contrast to γ-secretase making it an excellent model for studies of the basic cleavage process. We here focused on the cell-free expression of PSH screening a range of conditions. Cleavage assays to verify the activity show that not only the yield, but mainly the activity of the protease depends on the careful selection of expression conditions. Optimal results were found for a cell-free expression at relatively low temperature, 20 °C, employing cell lysates prepared from E. coli Rosetta cells. To speed up protein preparation for immediate functional assays, a crude purification protocol was developed. This allows to produce ready-made PSH in a fast and efficient manner in less than two days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Moser
- Institute for Biological Interfaces 4, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Eggenstein- Leopoldshafen, Germany; Institute of Organic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Claudia Muhle-Goll
- Institute for Biological Interfaces 4, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Eggenstein- Leopoldshafen, Germany; Institute of Organic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
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5
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Köck Z, Schnelle K, Persechino M, Umbach S, Schihada H, Januliene D, Parey K, Pockes S, Kolb P, Dötsch V, Möller A, Hilger D, Bernhard F. Cryo-EM structure of cell-free synthesized human histamine 2 receptor/G s complex in nanodisc environment. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1831. [PMID: 38418462 PMCID: PMC10901899 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46096-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Here we describe the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the human histamine 2 receptor (H2R) in an active conformation with bound histamine and in complex with Gs heterotrimeric protein at an overall resolution of 3.4 Å. The complex was generated by cotranslational insertion of the receptor into preformed nanodisc membranes using cell-free synthesis in E. coli lysates. Structural comparison with the inactive conformation of H2R and the inactive and Gq-coupled active state of H1R together with structure-guided functional experiments reveal molecular insights into the specificity of ligand binding and G protein coupling for this receptor family. We demonstrate lipid-modulated folding of cell-free synthesized H2R, its agonist-dependent internalization and its interaction with endogenously synthesized H1R and H2R in HEK293 cells by applying a recently developed nanotransfer technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Köck
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kilian Schnelle
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Structural Biology section, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytic Osnabrück (CellNanOs), University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | | | - Simon Umbach
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Dovile Januliene
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Structural Biology section, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytic Osnabrück (CellNanOs), University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Kristian Parey
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Structural Biology section, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytic Osnabrück (CellNanOs), University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kolb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Volker Dötsch
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Arne Möller
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Structural Biology section, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytic Osnabrück (CellNanOs), University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.
| | - Daniel Hilger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Frank Bernhard
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany.
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6
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Cho S, Lee H, Han YH, Park TS, Seo SW, Park TH. Design of an effective small expression tag to enhance GPCR production in E. coli-based cell-free and whole cell expression systems. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4839. [PMID: 37967042 PMCID: PMC10682694 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play crucial roles in sensory, immune, and tumor metastasis processes, making them valuable targets for pharmacological and sensing applications in various industries. However, most GPCRs have low production yields in Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression systems. To overcome this limitation, we introduced AT10 tag, an effective fusion tag that could significantly enhance expression levels of various GPCRs in E. coli and its derived cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system. This AT10 tag consisted of an A/T-rich gene sequence designed via optimization of translation initiation rate. It is translated into a short peptide sequence of 10 amino acids at the N-terminus of GPCRs. Additionally, effector proteins could be utilized to suppress cytotoxicity caused by membrane protein expression, further boosting GPCR production in E. coli. Enhanced expression of various GPCRs using this AT10 tag is a promising approach for large-scale production of functional GPCRs in E. coli-based CFPS and whole cell systems, enabling their potential utilization across a wide range of industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongyeon Cho
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical ProcessSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Haein Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical ProcessSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Yong Hee Han
- Interdisciplinary Program in BioengineeringSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Tae Shin Park
- Receptech Research Institute, Receptech Inc.SiheungRepublic of Korea
| | - Sang Woo Seo
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical ProcessSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in BioengineeringSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Tai Hyun Park
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical ProcessSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in BioengineeringSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food ManagementEwha Womans UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
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7
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Goncharuk MV, Vasileva EV, Ananiev EA, Gorokhovatsky AY, Bocharov EV, Mineev KS, Goncharuk SA. Facade-Based Bicelles as a New Tool for Production of Active Membrane Proteins in a Cell-Free System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14864. [PMID: 37834312 PMCID: PMC10573531 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins are important components of a cell. Their structural and functional studies require production of milligram amounts of proteins, which nowadays is not a routine process. Cell-free protein synthesis is a prospective approach to resolve this task. However, there are few known membrane mimetics that can be used to synthesize active membrane proteins in high amounts. Here, we present the application of commercially available "Facade" detergents for the production of active rhodopsin. We show that the yield of active protein in lipid bicelles containing Facade-EM, Facade-TEM, and Facade-EPC is several times higher than in the case of conventional bicelles with CHAPS and DHPC and is comparable to the yield in the presence of lipid-protein nanodiscs. Moreover, the effects of the lipid-to-detergent ratio, concentration of detergent in the feeding mixture, and lipid composition of the bicelles on the total, soluble, and active protein yields are discussed. We show that Facade-based bicelles represent a prospective membrane mimetic, available for the production of membrane proteins in a cell-free system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina V. Goncharuk
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.V.G.); (A.Y.G.); (E.V.B.)
| | - Ekaterina V. Vasileva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.V.G.); (A.Y.G.); (E.V.B.)
| | - Egor A. Ananiev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.V.G.); (A.Y.G.); (E.V.B.)
| | - Andrey Y. Gorokhovatsky
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.V.G.); (A.Y.G.); (E.V.B.)
| | - Eduard V. Bocharov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.V.G.); (A.Y.G.); (E.V.B.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny 141701, Russia
| | - Konstantin S. Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.V.G.); (A.Y.G.); (E.V.B.)
| | - Sergey A. Goncharuk
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.V.G.); (A.Y.G.); (E.V.B.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny 141701, Russia
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8
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Höger B, Peifer C, Beitz E. Cell-free production of fluorescent proteins for the discovery of novel ribosome-targeting antibiotics. J Microbiol Methods 2023; 213:106814. [PMID: 37652138 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2023.106814] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Various issues including the overuse of antibiotics has led to the development of threatening multidrug-resistant bacterial strains urging development of novel anti-infectives. One quarter of current clinical phase III antibiotic drug candidates address ribosomal protein translation as a target. Here, we describe an effective cell-free in vitro screening system for inhibitors of bacterial ribosome activity with direct fluorescence read-out. Using ribosomal S30 extracts from Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas putida, the validity of this system is demonstrated by concentration-dependent inhibition of translation by a set of different classes of translation-targeting drugs. The single-compartment cell-free translation reaction is compatible with multi-well formats. Fluorophore formation of green fluorescent protein or monomeric NeonGreen occurs in an hour time frame without the need of adding reagents for secondary enzymatic detection saving handling time, and prohibiting false positives. As label-free readout, the dose response further allows for IC50 determination in the same setup. Together, we show that cell-free production of fluorescent proteins for the discovery of ribosome-targeting antibiotics is feasible and amenable to high-throughput applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Höger
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstraße 76, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christian Peifer
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstraße 76, Kiel, Germany
| | - Eric Beitz
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstraße 76, Kiel, Germany.
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9
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Caritá AC, Cavalcanti RRM, Oliveira MSS, Riske KA. Solubilization of biomimetic lipid mixtures by some commonly used non-ionic detergents. Chem Phys Lipids 2023; 255:105327. [PMID: 37442532 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2023.105327] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Detergents are amphiphilic molecules often used to solubilize biological membranes and separate their components. Here we investigate the solubilization of lipid vesicles by the commonly used non-ionic detergents polyoxyethylene (20) oleyl ether (Brij 98), n-octyl-β-D-glucoside (OG), and n-dodecyl β-D maltoside (DDM) and compare the results with the standard detergent Triton X-100 (TX-100). The vesicles were composed of palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC) or of a biomimetic ternary mixture of POPC, egg sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol (2:1:2 molar ratio). To follow the solubilization profile of large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), 90° light scattering measurements were done along the titration of LUVs with the detergents. Then, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) were observed with optical microscopy during exposure to the detergents, to allow direct visualization of the solubilization process. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to assess the binding constant of the detergents in POPC bilayers. The results show that the incorporation of TX-100, Brij 98 and, to a lesser extent, OG in the pure POPC liposomes leads to an increase in the vesicle area, which indicates their ability to redistribute between the two leaflets of the membrane in a short scale of time. On the other hand, DDM incorporates mainly in the external leaflet causing an increase in vesicle curvature/tension leading ultimately to vesicle burst. Only TX-100 and OG were able to completely solubilize the POPC vesicles, whereas the biomimetic ternary mixture was partially insoluble in all detergents tested. TX-100 and OG were able to incorporate in the bilayer of the ternary mixture and induce macroscopic phase separation of liquid-ordered (Lo) and liquid-disordered (Ld) domains, with selective solubilization of the latter. Combination of ITC data with turbidity results showed that TX-100 and OG can be incorporated up to almost 0.3 detergent/lipid, significantly more than Brij 98 and DDM. This fact seems to be directly related to their higher capacity to solubilize POPC membranes and their ability to induce macroscopic phase separation in the biomimetic lipid mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C Caritá
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Department of Biophysics, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Karin A Riske
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Department of Biophysics, São Paulo, Brazil.
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10
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Bains J, Qureshi N, Ceylan B, Wacker A, Schwalbe H. Cell-free transcription-translation system: a dual read-out assay to characterize riboswitch function. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:e82. [PMID: 37409574 PMCID: PMC10450168 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-free protein synthesis assays have become a valuable tool to understand transcriptional and translational processes. Here, we established a fluorescence-based coupled in vitro transcription-translation assay as a read-out system to simultaneously quantify mRNA and protein levels. We utilized the well-established quantification of the expression of shifted green fluorescent protein (sGFP) as a read-out of protein levels. In addition, we determined mRNA quantities using a fluorogenic Mango-(IV) RNA aptamer that becomes fluorescent upon binding to the fluorophore thiazole orange (TO). We utilized a Mango-(IV) RNA aptamer system comprising four subsequent Mango-(IV) RNA aptamer elements with improved sensitivity by building Mango arrays. The design of this reporter assay resulted in a sensitive read-out with a high signal-to-noise ratio, allowing us to monitor transcription and translation time courses in cell-free assays with continuous monitoring of fluorescence changes as well as snapshots of the reaction. Furthermore, we applied this dual read-out assay to investigate the function of thiamine-sensing riboswitches thiM and thiC from Escherichia coli and the adenine-sensing riboswitch ASW from Vibrio vulnificus and pbuE from Bacillus subtilis, which represent transcriptional and translational on- and off-riboswitches, respectively. This approach enabled a microplate-based application, a valuable addition to the toolbox for high-throughput screening of riboswitch function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasleen Kaur Bains
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse 60438, Germany
| | - Nusrat Shahin Qureshi
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse 60438, Germany
| | - Betül Ceylan
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse 60438, Germany
| | - Anna Wacker
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse 60438, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse 60438, Germany
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11
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Levin R, Löhr F, Karakoc B, Lichtenecker R, Dötsch V, Bernhard F. E. coli "Stablelabel" S30 lysate for optimized cell-free NMR sample preparation. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2023; 77:131-147. [PMID: 37311907 PMCID: PMC10406690 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-023-00417-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cell-free (CF) synthesis with highly productive E. coli lysates is a convenient method to produce labeled proteins for NMR studies. Despite reduced metabolic activity in CF lysates, a certain scrambling of supplied isotope labels is still notable. Most problematic are conversions of 15N labels of the amino acids L-Asp, L-Asn, L-Gln, L-Glu and L-Ala, resulting in ambiguous NMR signals as well as in label dilution. Specific inhibitor cocktails suppress most undesired conversion reactions, while limited availability and potential side effects on CF system productivity need to be considered. As alternative route to address NMR label conversion in CF systems, we describe the generation of optimized E. coli lysates with reduced amino acid scrambling activity. Our strategy is based on the proteome blueprint of standardized CF S30 lysates of the E. coli strain A19. Identified lysate enzymes with suspected amino acid scrambling activity were eliminated by engineering corresponding single and cumulative chromosomal mutations in A19. CF lysates prepared from the mutants were analyzed for their CF protein synthesis efficiency and for residual scrambling activity. The A19 derivative "Stablelabel" containing the cumulative mutations asnA, ansA/B, glnA, aspC and ilvE yielded the most useful CF S30 lysates. We demonstrate the optimized NMR spectral complexity of selectively labeled proteins CF synthesized in "Stablelabel" lysates. By taking advantage of ilvE deletion in "Stablelabel", we further exemplify a new strategy for methyl group specific labeling of membrane proteins with the proton pump proteorhodopsin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Levin
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank Löhr
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Betül Karakoc
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Roman Lichtenecker
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- MAG-LAB, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Volker Dötsch
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank Bernhard
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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12
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Mezhyrova J, Martin J, Börnsen C, Dötsch V, Frangakis AS, Morgner N, Bernhard F. In vitro characterization of the phage lysis protein MS2-L. MICROBIOME RESEARCH REPORTS 2023; 2:28. [PMID: 38045926 PMCID: PMC10688784 DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2023.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Background: The peptide MS2-L represents toxins of the ssRNA Leviviridae phage family and consists of a predicted N-terminal soluble domain followed by a transmembrane domain. MS2-L mediates bacterial cell lysis through the formation of large lesions in the cell envelope, but further details of this mechanism as a prerequisite for applied bioengineering studies are lacking. The chaperone DnaJ is proposed to modulate MS2-L activity, whereas other cellular targets of MS2-L are unknown. Methods: Here, we provide a combined in vitro and in vivo overexpression approach to reveal molecular insights into MS2-L action and its interaction with DnaJ. Full-length MS2-L and truncated derivatives were synthesized cell-free and co-translationally inserted into nanodiscs or solubilized in detergent micelles. By native liquid bead ion desorption mass spectrometry, we demonstrate that MS2-L assembles into high oligomeric states after membrane insertion. Results: Oligomerization is directed by the transmembrane domain and is impaired in detergent environments. Studies with truncated MS2-L derivatives provide evidence that the soluble domain acts as a modulator of oligomer formation. DnaJ strongly interacts with MS2-L in membranes as well as in detergent environments. However, this interaction affects neither the MS2-L membrane insertion efficiency nor its oligomerization in nanodisc membranes. In accordance with the in vitro data, the assembly of MS2-L derivatives into large membrane located clusters was monitored by overexpression of corresponding fusions with fluorescent monitors in E. coli cells. Analysis by cryo-electron microscopy indicates that lesion formation is initiated in the outer membrane, followed by disruption of the peptidoglycan layer and disintegration of the inner membrane. Conclusion: MS2-L forms oligomeric complexes similar to the related phage toxin ΦX174-E. The oligomeric interface of both peptides is located within their transmembrane domains. We propose a potential function of the higher-order assembly of small phage toxins in membrane disintegration and cell lysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julija Mezhyrova
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Janosch Martin
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Clara Börnsen
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences & Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Volker Dötsch
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Achilleas Stefanos Frangakis
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences & Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Nina Morgner
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Frank Bernhard
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
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13
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Manzer ZA, Selivanovitch E, Ostwalt AR, Daniel S. Membrane protein synthesis: no cells required. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:642-654. [PMID: 37087310 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in membrane protein (MP) structural biology and a growing interest in their applications, these proteins remain challenging to study. Progress has been hindered by the complex nature of MPs and innovative methods will be required to circumvent technical hurdles. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is a burgeoning technique for synthesizing MPs directly into a membrane environment using reconstituted components of the cellular transcription and translation machinery in vitro. We provide an overview of CFPS and how this technique can be applied to the synthesis and study of MPs. We highlight numerous strategies including synthesis methods and folding environments, each with advantages and limitations, to provide a survey of how CFPS techniques can advance the study of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Manzer
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ekaterina Selivanovitch
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Alexis R Ostwalt
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Susan Daniel
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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14
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Wagner L, Jules M, Borkowski O. What remains from living cells in bacterial lysate-based cell-free systems. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:3173-3182. [PMID: 37333859 PMCID: PMC10275740 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Because they mimic cells while offering an accessible and controllable environment, lysate-based cell-free systems (CFS) have emerged as valuable biotechnology tools for synthetic biology. Historically used to uncover fundamental mechanisms of life, CFS are nowadays used for a multitude of purposes, including protein production and prototyping of synthetic circuits. Despite the conservation of fundamental functions in CFS like transcription and translation, RNAs and certain membrane-embedded or membrane-bound proteins of the host cell are lost when preparing the lysate. As a result, CFS largely lack some essential properties of living cells, such as the ability to adapt to changing conditions, to maintain homeostasis and spatial organization. Regardless of the application, shedding light on the black-box of the bacterial lysate is necessary to fully exploit the potential of CFS. Most measurements of the activity of synthetic circuits in CFS and in vivo show significant correlations because these only require processes that are preserved in CFS, like transcription and translation. However, prototyping circuits of higher complexity that require functions that are lost in CFS (cell adaptation, homeostasis, spatial organization) will not show such a good correlation with in vivo conditions. Both for prototyping circuits of higher complexity and for building artificial cells, the cell-free community has developed devices to reconstruct cellular functions. This mini-review compares bacterial CFS to living cells, focusing on functional and cellular process differences and the latest developments in restoring lost functions through complementation of the lysate or device engineering.
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15
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Rouchidane Eyitayo A, Boudier-Lemosquet A, Chaignepain S, Priault M, Manon S. Bcl-xL Is Spontaneously Inserted into Preassembled Nanodiscs and Stimulates Bax Insertion in a Cell-Free Protein Synthesis System. Biomolecules 2023; 13:876. [PMID: 37371456 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL is a major regulator of cell death and survival, but many aspects of its functions remain elusive. It is mostly localized in the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) owing to its C-terminal hydrophobic α-helix. In order to gain further information about its membrane organization, we set up a model system combining cell-free protein synthesis and nanodisc insertion. We found that, contrary to its proapoptotic partner Bax, neosynthesized Bcl-xL was spontaneously inserted into nanodiscs. The deletion of the C-terminal α-helix of Bcl-xL prevented nanodisc insertion. We also found that nanodisc insertion protected Bcl-xL against the proteolysis of the 13 C-terminal residues that occurs during expression of Bcl-xL as a soluble protein in E. coli. Interestingly, we observed that Bcl-xL increased the insertion of Bax into nanodiscs, in a similar way to that which occurs in mitochondria. Cell-free synthesis in the presence of nanodiscs is, thus, a suitable model system to study the molecular aspects of the interaction between Bcl-xL and Bax during their membrane insertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akandé Rouchidane Eyitayo
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5095, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Axel Boudier-Lemosquet
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5095, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Stéphane Chaignepain
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5095, 33077 Bordeaux, France
- Centre de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Bordeaux, Université de Bordeaux, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Muriel Priault
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5095, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Stéphen Manon
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5095, 33077 Bordeaux, France
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16
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Yue K, Chen J, Li Y, Kai L. Advancing synthetic biology through cell-free protein synthesis. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:2899-2908. [PMID: 37216017 PMCID: PMC10196276 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of synthetic biology has enabled the production of compounds with revolutionary improvements in biotechnology. DNA manipulation tools have expedited the engineering of cellular systems for this purpose. Nonetheless, the inherent constraints of cellular systems persist, imposing an upper limit on mass and energy conversion efficiencies. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) has demonstrated its potential to overcome these inherent constraints and has been instrumental in the further advancement of synthetic biology. Via the removal of the cell membranes and redundant parts of cells, CFPS has provided flexibility in directly dissecting and manipulating the Central Dogma with rapid feedback. This mini-review summarizes recent achievements of the CFPS technique and its application to a wide range of synthetic biology projects, such as minimal cell assembly, metabolic engineering, and recombinant protein production for therapeutics, as well as biosensor development for in vitro diagnostics. In addition, current challenges and future perspectives in developing a generalized cell-free synthetic biology are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Yue
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 22116, China
| | - Junyu Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 22116, China
| | - Yingqiu Li
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 22116, China
| | - Lei Kai
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 22116, China
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17
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The mechanism of thrombocytopenia caused by cholesterol-conjugated antisense oligonucleotides. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 89:105569. [PMID: 36801361 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated thrombocytopenia caused by cholesterol-conjugated antisense oligonucleotides (Chol-ASO). First, we evaluated platelet activation induced by Chol-ASO in mice by flow cytometry after administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). An increase in the number of large particle-size events with platelet activation was detected in the Chol-ASO-treated group. In a smear study, numerous platelets were observed to attach to nucleic acid-containing aggregates. A competition binding assay showed that the conjugation of cholesterol to ASOs increased their affinity for glycoprotein VI. Platelet-free plasma was then mixed with Chol-ASO to form aggregates. The assembly of Chol-ASO was confirmed by dynamic light scattering measurements in the concentration range in which the formation of aggregates with plasma components was observed. In conclusion, the mechanism by which Chol-ASOs causes thrombocytopenia is proposed to be as follows: (1) Chol-ASOs form polymers, (2) the nucleic acid portion of the polymers interacts with plasma proteins and platelets, which cross-links them to form aggregates, and (3) platelets bound to aggregates become activated, resulting in platelet aggregation, leading to a decrease in platelet count in vivo. The details of the mechanism revealed in this study could contribute to creating safer oligonucleotide therapies without the risk of thrombocytopenia.
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18
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Dmitrieva DA, Kotova TV, Safronova NA, Sadova AA, Dashevskii DE, Mishin AV. Protein Design Strategies for the Structural–Functional Studies of G Protein-Coupled Receptors. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2023; 88:S192-S226. [PMID: 37069121 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923140110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an important family of membrane proteins responsible for many physiological functions in human body. High resolution GPCR structures are required to understand their molecular mechanisms and perform rational drug design, as GPCRs play a crucial role in a variety of diseases. That is difficult to obtain for the wild-type proteins because of their low stability. In this review, we discuss how this problem can be solved by using protein design strategies developed to obtain homogeneous stabilized GPCR samples for crystallization and cryoelectron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria A Dmitrieva
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Kotova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Nadezda A Safronova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Alexandra A Sadova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Dmitrii E Dashevskii
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Alexey V Mishin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
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19
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Rouchidane Eyitayo A, Giraud MF, Daury L, Lambert O, Gonzalez C, Manon S. Cell-free synthesis and reconstitution of Bax in nanodiscs: Comparison between wild-type Bax and a constitutively active mutant. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2023; 1865:184075. [PMID: 36273540 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.184075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Bax is a major player in the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, by making the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane (OMM) permeable to various apoptogenic factors, including cytochrome c. In order to get further insight into the structure and function of Bax when it is inserted in the OMM, we attempted to reconstitute Bax in nanodiscs. Cell-free protein synthesis in the presence of nanodiscs did not yield Bax-containing nanodiscs, but it provided a simple way to purify full-length Bax without any tag. Purified wild-type Bax (BaxWT) and a constitutively active mutant (BaxP168A) displayed biochemical properties that were in line with previous characterizations following their expression in yeast and human cells followed by their reconstitution into liposomes. Both Bax variants were then reconstituted in nanodiscs. Size exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy showed that nanodiscs formed with BaxP168A were larger than nanodiscs formed with BaxWT. This was consistent with the hypothesis that BaxP168A was reconstituted in nanodiscs as an active oligomer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie-France Giraud
- IBGC, UMR5095, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, France; CBMN, UMR5248, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | | | - Stéphen Manon
- IBGC, UMR5095, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, France.
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20
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Poláchová E, Bach K, Heuten E, Stanchev S, Tichá A, Lampe P, Majer P, Langer T, Lemberg MK, Stříšovský K. Chemical Blockage of the Mitochondrial Rhomboid Protease PARL by Novel Ketoamide Inhibitors Reveals Its Role in PINK1/Parkin-Dependent Mitophagy. J Med Chem 2022; 66:251-265. [PMID: 36540942 PMCID: PMC9841525 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The mitochondrial rhomboid protease PARL regulates mitophagy by balancing intramembrane proteolysis of PINK1 and PGAM5. It has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, but its investigation as a possible therapeutic target is challenging in this context because genetic deficiency of PARL may result in compensatory mechanisms. To address this problem, we undertook a hitherto unavailable chemical biology strategy. We developed potent PARL-targeting ketoamide inhibitors and investigated the effects of acute PARL suppression on the processing status of PINK1 intermediates and on Parkin activation. This approach revealed that PARL inhibition leads to a robust activation of the PINK1/Parkin pathway without major secondary effects on mitochondrial properties, which demonstrates that the pharmacological blockage of PARL to boost PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy is a feasible approach to examine novel therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease. More generally, this study showcases the power of ketoamide inhibitors for cell biological studies of rhomboid proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edita Poláchová
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic,First
Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Kateřinská 32, Prague 121 08, Czech Republic
| | - Kathrin Bach
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic,Department
of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 5, Prague 128 44, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Heuten
- Center
for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer
Feld 282, Heidelberg 69120, Germany,Center
for Biochemistry and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress
Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Stancho Stanchev
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Anežka Tichá
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Philipp Lampe
- Institute
for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses
in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Thomas Langer
- Institute
for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses
in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, Cologne 50931, Germany,Center
for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, Cologne 50931, Germany,Max-Planck-Institute
for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9b, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Marius K. Lemberg
- Center
for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer
Feld 282, Heidelberg 69120, Germany,Center
for Biochemistry and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress
Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, Cologne 50931, Germany,
| | - Kvido Stříšovský
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic,
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21
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Cell-free synthesis of amyloid fibrils with infectious properties and amenable to sub-milligram magic-angle spinning NMR analysis. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1202. [DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04175-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractStructural investigations of amyloid fibrils often rely on heterologous bacterial overexpression of the protein of interest. Due to their inherent hydrophobicity and tendency to aggregate as inclusion bodies, many amyloid proteins are challenging to express in bacterial systems. Cell-free protein expression is a promising alternative to classical bacterial expression to produce hydrophobic proteins and introduce NMR-active isotopes that can improve and speed up the NMR analysis. Here we implement the cell-free synthesis of the functional amyloid prion HET-s(218-289). We present an interesting case where HET-s(218-289) directly assembles into infectious fibril in the cell-free expression mixture without the requirement of denaturation procedures and purification. By introducing tailored 13C and 15N isotopes or CF3 and 13CH2F labels at strategic amino-acid positions, we demonstrate that cell-free synthesized amyloid fibrils are readily amenable to high-resolution magic-angle spinning NMR at sub-milligram quantity.
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22
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Levin R, Köck Z, Martin J, Zangl R, Gewering T, Schüler L, Moeller A, Dötsch V, Morgner N, Bernhard F. Cotranslational assembly of membrane protein/nanoparticles in cell-free systems. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:184017. [PMID: 35921875 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.184017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles composed of amphiphilic scaffold proteins and small lipid bilayers are valuable tools for reconstitution and subsequent functional and structural characterization of membrane proteins. In combination with cell-free protein production systems, nanoparticles can be used to cotranslationally and translocon independently insert membrane proteins into tailored lipid environments. This strategy enables rapid generation of protein/nanoparticle complexes by avoiding detergent contact of nascent membrane proteins. Frequently in use are nanoparticles assembled with engineered derivatives of either the membrane scaffold protein (MSP) or the Saposin A (SapA) scaffold. Furthermore, several strategies for the formation of membrane protein/nanoparticle complexes in cell-free reactions exist. However, it is unknown how these strategies affect functional folding, oligomeric assembly and membrane insertion efficiency of cell-free synthesized membrane proteins. We systematically studied membrane protein insertion efficiency and sample quality of cell-free synthesized proteorhodopsin (PR) which was cotranslationally inserted in MSP and SapA based nanoparticles. Three possible PR/nanoparticle formation strategies were analyzed: (i) PR integration into supplied preassembled nanoparticles, (ii) coassembly of nanoparticles from supplied scaffold proteins and lipids upon PR expression, and (iii) coexpression of scaffold proteins together with PR in presence of supplied lipids. Yield, homogeneity as well as the formation of higher PR oligomeric complexes from samples generated by the three strategies were analyzed. Conditions found optimal for PR were applied for the synthesis of a G-protein coupled receptor. The study gives a comprehensive guideline for the rapid synthesis of membrane protein/nanoparticle samples by different processes and identifies key parameters to modulate sample yield and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Levin
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Zoe Köck
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Janosch Martin
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - René Zangl
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Leah Schüler
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Arne Moeller
- University of Osnabrück, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Volker Dötsch
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nina Morgner
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank Bernhard
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.
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23
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Bruni R. High-Throughput Cell-Free Screening of Eukaryotic Membrane Proteins in Lipidic Mimetics. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e510. [PMID: 35926131 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins (MPs) carry out important functions in the metabolism of cells, such as the detection of extracellular activities and the transport of small molecules across the plasma and organelle membranes. Expression of MPs for biochemical, biophysical, and structural analysis is in most cases achieved by overexpression of the desired target in an appropriate host, such as a bacterium. However, overexpression of MPs is usually toxic to the host cells and can lead to aggregation of target protein and to resistance to detergent extraction. An alternative to cell-based MP expression is cell-free (CF), or in vitro, expression. CF expression of MPs has several advantages over cell-based methods, including lack of toxicity issues, no requirement for detergent extraction, and direct incorporation of target proteins in various lipidic mimetics. This article describes a high-throughput method for the expression and purification of eukaryotic membrane proteins used in the author's lab. Basic Protocol 1 describes the selection and cloning of target genes into appropriate vectors for CF expression. Basic Protocol 2 describes the assembly of CF reactions for high-throughput screening. Basic Protocol 3 outlines methods for purification and detection of target proteins. Support Protocols 1-6 describe various accessory procedures: amplification of target, treatment of vectors to prepare them for ligation-independent cloning, and the preparation of S30 extract, T7 RNA polymerase, liposomes, and nanodiscs. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Target selection, construct design, and cloning into pET-based expression vectors Support Protocol 1: Amplification of target DNA Support Protocol 2: Preparation of ligation-independent cloning (LIC)-compatible vectors Basic Protocol 2: Assembly of small-scale cell-free reactions for high-throughput screening Support Protocol 3: Preparation of Escherichia coli S30 extract Support Protocol 4: Preparation of T7 RNA polymerase Support Protocol 5: Preparation of liposomes Support Protocol 6: Preparation of nanodiscs Basic Protocol 3: Purification and detection of cell-free reaction products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Bruni
- Center on Membrane Protein Production and Analysis (COMPPÅ), New York Structural Biology Center, New York, New York
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24
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Yang C, Yang M, Zhao W, Ding Y, Wang Y, Li J. Establishing a Klebsiella pneumoniae-Based Cell-Free Protein Synthesis System. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27154684. [PMID: 35897861 PMCID: PMC9330377 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems are emerging as powerful platforms for in vitro protein production, which leads to the development of new CFPS systems for different applications. To expand the current CFPS toolkit, here we develop a novel CFPS system derived from a chassis microorganism Klebsiella pneumoniae, an important industrial host for heterologous protein expression and the production of many useful chemicals. First, we engineered the K. pneumoniae strain by deleting a capsule formation-associated wzy gene. This capsule-deficient strain enabled easy collection of the cell biomass for preparing cell extracts. Then, we optimized the procedure of cell extract preparation and the reaction conditions for CFPS. Finally, the optimized CFPS system was able to synthesize a reporter protein (superfolder green fluorescent protein, sfGFP) with a maximum yield of 253 ± 15.79 μg/mL. Looking forward, our K. pneumoniae-based CFPS system will not only expand the toolkit for protein synthesis, but also provide a new platform for constructing in vitro metabolic pathways for the synthesis of high-value chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China;
| | - Miaomiao Yang
- Clinical Pathology Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230012, China;
- Department of Biological Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Wanhua Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (W.Z.); (Y.D.)
| | - Yue Ding
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (W.Z.); (Y.D.)
| | - Yu Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (W.Z.); (Y.D.)
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Jian Li
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China;
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (J.L.)
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25
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Umbach S, Levin R, Neumann S, Steinmetzer T, Dötsch V, Bernhard F. Transfer mechanism of cell-free synthesized membrane proteins into mammalian cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:906295. [PMID: 35935506 PMCID: PMC9355040 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.906295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanodiscs are emerging to serve as transfer vectors for the insertion of recombinant membrane proteins into membranes of living cells. In combination with cell-free expression technologies, this novel process opens new perspectives to analyze the effects of even problematic targets such as toxic, hard-to-express, or artificially modified membrane proteins in complex cellular environments of different cell lines. Furthermore, transferred cells must not be genetically engineered and primary cell lines or cancer cells could be implemented as well. We have systematically analyzed the basic parameters of the nanotransfer approach and compared the transfer efficiencies from nanodiscs with that from Salipro particles. The transfer of five membrane proteins was analyzed: the prokaryotic proton pump proteorhodopsin, the human class A family G-protein coupled receptors for endothelin type B, prostacyclin, free fatty acids type 2, and the orphan GPRC5B receptor as a class C family member. The membrane proteins were cell-free synthesized with a detergent-free strategy by their cotranslational insertion into preformed nanoparticles containing defined lipid environments. The purified membrane protein/nanoparticles were then incubated with mammalian cells. We demonstrate that nanodiscs disassemble and only lipids and membrane proteins, not the scaffold protein, are transferred into cell membranes. The process is detectable within minutes, independent of the nanoparticle lipid composition, and the transfer efficiency directly correlates with the membrane protein concentration in the transfer mixture and with the incubation time. Transferred membrane proteins insert in both orientations, N-terminus in and N-terminus out, in the cell membrane, and the ratio can be modulated by engineering. The viability of cells is not notably affected by the transfer procedure, and transferred membrane proteins stay detectable in the cell membrane for up to 3 days. Transferred G-protein coupled receptors retained their functionality in the cell environment as shown by ligand binding, induction of internalization, and specific protein interactions. In comparison to transfection, the cellular membrane protein concentration is better controllable and more uniformly distributed within the analyzed cell population. A further notable difference to transfection is the accumulation of transferred membrane proteins in clusters, presumably determined by microdomain structures in the cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Umbach
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Roman Levin
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sebastian Neumann
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Volker Dötsch
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Frank Bernhard
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- *Correspondence: Frank Bernhard,
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26
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Ergun Ayva C, Fiorito MM, Guo Z, Edwardraja S, Kaczmarski JA, Gagoski D, Walden P, Johnston WA, Jackson CJ, Nebl T, Alexandrov K. Exploring Performance Parameters of Artificial Allosteric Protein Switches. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167678. [PMID: 35709893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Biological information processing networks rely on allosteric protein switches that dynamically interconvert biological signals. Construction of their artificial analogues is a central goal of synthetic biology and bioengineering. Receptor domain insertion is one of the leading methods for constructing chimeric protein switches. Here we present an in vitro expression-based platform for the analysis of chimeric protein libraries for which traditional cell survival or cytometric high throughput assays are not applicable. We utilise this platform to screen a focused library of chimeras between PQQ-glucose dehydrogenase and calmodulin. Using this approach, we identified 50 chimeras (approximately 23% of the library) that were activated by calmodulin-binding peptides. We analysed performance parameters of the active chimeras and demonstrated that their dynamic range and response times are anticorrelated, pointing to the existence of an inherent thermodynamic trade-off. We show that the structure of the ligand peptide affects both the response and activation kinetics of the biosensors suggesting that the structure of a ligand:receptor complex can influence the chimera's activation pathway. In order to understand the extent of structural changes in the reporter protein induced by the receptor domains, we have analysed one of the chimeric molecules by CD spectroscopy and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. We concluded that subtle ligand-induced changes in the receptor domain propagated into the GDH domain and affected residues important for substrate and cofactor binding. Finally, we used one of the identified chimeras to construct a two-component rapamycin biosensor and demonstrated that core switch optimisation translated into improved biosensor performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cagla Ergun Ayva
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia; Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Maria M Fiorito
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia; Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Zhong Guo
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia; Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Selvakumar Edwardraja
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Joe A Kaczmarski
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Dejan Gagoski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Patricia Walden
- Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Wayne A Johnston
- Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Colin J Jackson
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. https://twitter.com/Jackson_Lab
| | - Tom Nebl
- Biology Group, Biomedical Manufacturing Program, CSIRO, Bayview Ave/Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Kirill Alexandrov
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia; Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; CSIRO-QUT Synthetic Biology Alliance, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
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27
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Virosome, a promising delivery vehicle for siRNA delivery and its novel preparation method. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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28
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Bruni R, Laguerre A, Kaminska A, McSweeney S, Hendrickson WA, Liu Q. High-throughput cell-free screening of eukaryotic membrane protein expression in lipidic mimetics. Protein Sci 2022; 31:639-651. [PMID: 34910339 PMCID: PMC8862427 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins play essential roles in cellular function and metabolism. Nonetheless, biophysical and structural studies of membrane proteins are impeded by the difficulty of their expression in and purification from heterologous cell-based systems. As an alternative to these cell-based systems, cell-free protein synthesis has proven to be an exquisite method for screening membrane protein targets in a variety of lipidic mimetics. Here we report a high-throughput screening workflow and apply it to screen 61 eukaryotic membrane protein targets. For each target, we tested its expression in lipidic mimetics: two detergents, two liposomes, and two nanodiscs. We show that 35 membrane proteins (57%) can be expressed in a soluble fraction in at least one of the mimetics with the two detergents performing significantly better than nanodiscs and liposomes, in that order. Using the established cell-free workflow, we studied the production and biophysical assays for mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) complexes. Our studies show that the complexes produced in cell-free are functionally competent in complex formation and substrate binding. Our results highlight the utility of using cell-free systems for screening and production of eukaryotic membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Bruni
- Center on Membrane Protein Production and Analysis (COMPPÅ)New York Structural Biology CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Aisha Laguerre
- Center on Membrane Protein Production and Analysis (COMPPÅ)New York Structural Biology CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA,Present address:
Roche DiagnosticsSanta ClaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Anna‐Maria Kaminska
- Center on Membrane Protein Production and Analysis (COMPPÅ)New York Structural Biology CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA,Present address:
New York Blood CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Wayne A. Hendrickson
- Center on Membrane Protein Production and Analysis (COMPPÅ)New York Structural Biology CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Qun Liu
- NSLS‐II, Brookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNew YorkUSA,Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNew YorkUSA
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29
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Towards a generic prototyping approach for therapeutically-relevant peptides and proteins in a cell-free translation system. Nat Commun 2022; 13:260. [PMID: 35017494 PMCID: PMC8752827 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27854-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in peptide and protein therapeutics increased the need for rapid and cost-effective polypeptide prototyping. While in vitro translation systems are well suited for fast and multiplexed polypeptide prototyping, they suffer from misfolding, aggregation and disulfide-bond scrambling of the translated products. Here we propose that efficient folding of in vitro produced disulfide-rich peptides and proteins can be achieved if performed in an aggregation-free and thermodynamically controlled folding environment. To this end, we modify an E. coli-based in vitro translation system to allow co-translational capture of translated products by affinity matrix. This process reduces protein aggregation and enables productive oxidative folding and recycling of misfolded states under thermodynamic control. In this study we show that the developed approach is likely to be generally applicable for prototyping of a wide variety of disulfide-constrained peptides, macrocyclic peptides with non-native bonds and antibody fragments in amounts sufficient for interaction analysis and biological activity assessment. Generic approach for rapid prototyping is essential for the progress of synthetic biology. Here the authors modify the cell-free translation system to control protein aggregation and folding and validate the approach by using single conditions for prototyping of various disulfide-constrained polypeptides.
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30
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Xu H, Liu WQ, Li J. A Streptomyces-Based Cell-Free Protein Synthesis System for High-Level Protein Expression. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2433:89-103. [PMID: 34985739 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1998-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid development of cell-free biotechnology, more and more cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems have been established and optimized for protein expression in vitro. Here, we aim to improve the productivity of a newly developed Streptomyces-based CFPS system. Protein translation in CFPS systems depends on the entire endogenous translation system from cell lysates. However, lysates might lack such translation-related elements, limiting the efficiency of protein translation and therefore the productivity of CFPS systems. To address this limitation, we sought to add protein translation related factors to CFPS reactions. By doing this, the protein yield of EGFP was significantly improved up to approximately 400 μg/mL. In this chapter, we mainly describe the preparation of Streptomyces cell extracts, expression and purification of nine translation related factors, and optimization of the Streptomyces-based CFPS system for enhanced protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Xu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wan-Qiu Liu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Li
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
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31
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Switching at the ribosome: riboswitches need rProteins as modulators to regulate translation. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4723. [PMID: 34354064 PMCID: PMC8342710 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25024-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Translational riboswitches are cis-acting RNA regulators that modulate the expression of genes during translation initiation. Their mechanism is considered as an RNA-only gene-regulatory system inducing a ligand-dependent shift of the population of functional ON- and OFF-states. The interaction of riboswitches with the translation machinery remained unexplored. For the adenine-sensing riboswitch from Vibrio vulnificus we show that ligand binding alone is not sufficient for switching to a translational ON-state but the interaction of the riboswitch with the 30S ribosome is indispensable. Only the synergy of binding of adenine and of 30S ribosome, in particular protein rS1, induces complete opening of the translation initiation region. Our investigation thus unravels the intricate dynamic network involving RNA regulator, ligand inducer and ribosome protein modulator during translation initiation. Translational regulation by riboswitches is an important mechanism for the modulation of gene expression in bacteria. Here the authors show that the ligand-induced allosteric switch in the adenine-sensing riboswitch from V. vulnificus is insufficient and leads only to a partial opening of the ribosome binding site and requires interaction with 30S-bound ribosomal protein S1, which acts as an RNA chaperone.
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32
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Franco ML, Nadezhdin KD, Light TP, Goncharuk SA, Soler-Lopez A, Ahmed F, Mineev KS, Hristova K, Arseniev AS, Vilar M. Interaction between the transmembrane domains of neurotrophin receptors p75 and TrkA mediates their reciprocal activation. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100926. [PMID: 34216618 PMCID: PMC8327350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotrophin receptors p75 and tyrosine protein kinase receptor A (TrkA) play important roles in the development and survival of the nervous system. Biochemical data suggest that p75 and TrkA reciprocally regulate the activities of each other. For instance, p75 is able to regulate the response of TrkA to lower concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF), and TrkA promotes shedding of the extracellular domain of p75 by α-secretases in a ligand-dependent manner. The current model suggests that p75 and TrkA are regulated by means of a direct physical interaction; however, the nature of such interaction has been elusive thus far. Here, using NMR in micelles, multiscale molecular dynamics, FRET, and functional studies, we identified and characterized the direct interaction between TrkA and p75 through their respective transmembrane domains (TMDs). Molecular dynamics of p75-TMD mutants suggests that although the interaction between TrkA and p75 TMDs is maintained upon mutation, a specific protein interface is required to facilitate TrkA active homodimerization in the presence of NGF. The same mutations in the TMD protein interface of p75 reduced the activation of TrkA by NGF as well as reducing cell differentiation. In summary, we provide a structural model of the p75-TrkA receptor complex necessary for neuronal development stabilized by TMD interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María L Franco
- Unit of Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration, Institute of Biomedicine CSIC, València, Spain
| | - Kirill D Nadezhdin
- Department of Structural Biology, Laboratory of NMR-Spectroscopy, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Taylor P Light
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sergey A Goncharuk
- Department of Structural Biology, Laboratory of NMR-Spectroscopy, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation; Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Andrea Soler-Lopez
- Unit of Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration, Institute of Biomedicine CSIC, València, Spain
| | - Fozia Ahmed
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Konstantin S Mineev
- Department of Structural Biology, Laboratory of NMR-Spectroscopy, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation; Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexander S Arseniev
- Department of Structural Biology, Laboratory of NMR-Spectroscopy, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Marçal Vilar
- Unit of Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration, Institute of Biomedicine CSIC, València, Spain.
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33
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Pfeifer L, Baumann A, Petersen LM, Höger B, Beitz E, Classen B. Degraded Arabinogalactans and Their Binding Properties to Cancer-Associated Human Galectins. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084058. [PMID: 33920014 PMCID: PMC8071012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectins represent β-galactoside-binding proteins with numerous functions. Due to their role in tumor progression, human galectins-1, -3 and -7 (Gal-1, -3 and -7) are potential targets for cancer therapy. As plant derived glycans might act as galectin inhibitors, we prepared galactans by partial degradation of plant arabinogalactan-proteins. Besides commercially purchased galectins, we produced Gal-1 and -7 in a cell free system and tested binding capacities of the galectins to the galactans by biolayer-interferometry. Results for commercial and cell-free expressed galectins were comparable confirming functionality of the cell-free produced galectins. Our results revealed that galactans from Echinacea purpurea bind to Gal-1 and -7 with KD values of 1–2 µM and to Gal-3 slightly stronger with KD values between 0.36 and 0.70 µM depending on the sensor type. Galactans from the seagrass Zostera marina with higher branching of the galactan and higher content of uronic acids showed stronger binding to Gal-3 (0.08–0.28 µM) compared to galactan from Echinacea. The results contribute to knowledge on interactions between plant polysaccharides and galectins. Arabinogalactan-proteins have been identified as a new source for production of galactans with possible capability to act as galectin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Pfeifer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany; (L.P.); (A.B.)
| | - Alexander Baumann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany; (L.P.); (A.B.)
| | - Lea Madlen Petersen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany; (L.M.P.); (B.H.); (E.B.)
| | - Bastian Höger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany; (L.M.P.); (B.H.); (E.B.)
| | - Eric Beitz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany; (L.M.P.); (B.H.); (E.B.)
| | - Birgit Classen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany; (L.P.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-431-8801130
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34
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Zhu S, Weber DK, Separovic F, Sani MA. Expression and purification of the native C-amidated antimicrobial peptide maculatin 1.1. J Pept Sci 2021; 27:e3330. [PMID: 33843136 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Maculatin 1.1 (Mac1) is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) from an Australian tree frog and exhibits low micromolar activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The antimicrobial properties of Mac1 are linked to its disruption of bacterial lipid membranes, which has been studied extensively by in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and biophysical approaches. Although in vivo NMR has recently proven effective in probing peptide-lipid interplay in live bacterial cells, direct structural characterisation of AMPs has been prohibited by low sensitivity and overwhelming background noise. To overcome this issue, we report a recombinant expression protocol to produce isotopically enriched Mac1. We utilized a double-fusion construct to alleviate toxicity against the Escherichia coli host and generate the native N-free and C-amidated termini Mac1 peptide. The SUMO and intein tags allowed native N-terminus and C-terminal amidation, respectively, to be achieved in a one-pot reaction. The protocol yielded 0.1 mg/L of native, uniformly 15 N-labelled, Mac1, which possessed identical structure and activity to peptide obtained by solid-phase peptide synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiying Zhu
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel K Weber
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Frances Separovic
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marc-Antoine Sani
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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35
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Abstract
Cell-free protein expression systems and lipid nanoparticle technologies are core platforms for membrane protein synthesis. The implementation of preassembled nanodiscs allows the co-translational insertion of membrane proteins into tailored lipid bilayers in the absence of any artificial hydrophobic compounds. This strategy is particularly interesting for detergent sensitive or otherwise critical membrane proteins such as G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Cell-free expression reactions are completed within a day and the formed GPCR/nanodisc particles can be purified directly out of the reaction mixture by affinity tags and without any further manipulation. The streamlined procedure reduces risk of GPCR denaturation and the sample quality can further be supported by supplying chaperones or other beneficial compounds directly into the expression reactions.GPCRs inserted into nanoparticle membranes are excellent tools for a variety of applications such as ligand screening, engineering or even structural characterization. In this chapter, we provide protocols for the reaction set-up and efficient cell-free production of functionally folded GPCRs reaching μM concentrations in the final expression reactions. We further exemplify the tuning of GPCR sample quality and discuss their application for throughput ligand screening and for the analysis of ligand-binding characteristics.
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36
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37
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Pacull EM, Sendker F, Bernhard F, Scheidt HA, Schmidt P, Huster D, Krug U. Integration of Cell-Free Expression and Solid-State NMR to Investigate the Dynamic Properties of Different Sites of the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:562113. [PMID: 33324203 PMCID: PMC7723455 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.562113] [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: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-free expression represents an attractive method to produce large quantities of selectively labeled protein for NMR applications. Here, cell-free expression was used to label specific regions of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) with NMR-active isotopes. The GHSR is a member of the class A family of G protein-coupled receptors. A cell-free expression system was established to produce the GHSR in the precipitated form. The solubilized receptor was refolded in vitro and reconstituted into DMPC lipid membranes. Methionines, arginines, and histidines were chosen for 13C-labeling as they are representative for the transmembrane domains, the loops and flanking regions of the transmembrane α-helices, and the C-terminus of the receptor, respectively. The dynamics of the isotopically labeled residues was characterized by solid-state NMR measuring motionally averaged 1H-13C dipolar couplings, which were converted into molecular order parameters. Separated local field DIPSHIFT experiments under magic-angle spinning conditions using either varying cross polarization contact times or direct excitation provided order parameters for these residues showing that the C-terminus was the segment with the highest motional amplitude. The loop regions and helix ends as well as the transmembrane regions of the GHSR represent relatively rigid segments in the overall very flexible receptor molecule. Although no site resolution could be achieved in the experiments, the previously reported highly dynamic character of the receptor concluded from uniformly 13C labeled receptor samples could be further specified by this segmental labeling approach, leading to a more diversified understanding of the receptor dynamics under equilibrium conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emelyne M Pacull
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Sendker
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frank Bernhard
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Holger A Scheidt
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Krug
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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38
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Yue K, Jiang J, Zhang P, Kai L. Functional Analysis of Aquaporin Water Permeability Using an Escherichia coli-Based Cell-Free Protein Synthesis System. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:1000. [PMID: 32974321 PMCID: PMC7466572 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.01000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins are essential water channel proteins found in all kingdoms of life. Although the water permeability of aquaporins has been well characterized, sample preparation for aquaporin water permeability assays remains challenging and time-consuming. Besides the difficulty in overexpressing membrane proteins in a cell-based expression system, the unique requirement for homogeneity in aquaporin proteoliposome sample preparations for water transport assays further increases the complexity. In this study, a complementary Cell-free Protein Synthesis (CFPS) method is described in detail, providing three different strategies for the preparation of aquaporin proteoliposome samples. Aquaporin can be produced either as a pellet fraction and then resolubilized, or co-translationally as a detergent-soluble fraction. Furthermore, aquaporin can be directly incorporated into liposomes, which was included in the CFPS reactions. Although proteoliposomes tend to fuse during the incubation of the CFPS reactions, an additional treatment of the fused samples with detergent, followed by a detergent removal step, can re-form homogenously sized proteoliposomes suitable for functional analysis. Using this method, we successfully characterized aquaporins from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. In particular, in the presence of liposomes, the developed CFPS expression system is a fast and convenient method for sample preparation for the functional analysis of aquaporins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Yue
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jihong Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lei Kai
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
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39
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Kögler LM, Stichel J, Beck-Sickinger AG. Structural investigations of cell-free expressed G protein-coupled receptors. Biol Chem 2020; 401:97-116. [PMID: 31539345 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are of great pharmaceutical interest and about 35% of the commercial drugs target these proteins. Still there is huge potential left in finding molecules that target new GPCRs or that modulate GPCRs differentially. For a rational drug design, it is important to understand the structure, binding and activation of the protein of interest. Structural investigations of GPCRs remain challenging, although huge progress has been made in the last 20 years, especially in the generation of crystal structures of GPCRs. This is mostly caused by issues with the expression yield, purity or labeling. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is an efficient alternative for recombinant expression systems that can potentially address many of these problems. In this article the use of CFPS for structural investigations of GPCRs is reviewed. We compare different CFPS systems, including the cellular basis and reaction configurations, and strategies for an efficient solubilization. Next, we highlight recent advances in the structural investigation of cell-free expressed GPCRs, with special emphasis on the role of photo-crosslinking approaches to investigate ligand binding sites on GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Maria Kögler
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Stichel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annette G Beck-Sickinger
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
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40
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Danmaliki GI, Hwang PM. Solution NMR spectroscopy of membrane proteins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183356. [PMID: 32416193 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) perform unique and indispensable functions in the cell, making them attractive targets for fundamental research and drug discovery. Developments in protein production, isotope labeling, sample preparation, and pulse sequences have extended the utility of solution NMR spectroscopy for studying IMPs with multiple transmembrane segments. Here we review some recent applications of solution NMR for studying structure, dynamics, and interactions of polytopic IMPs, emphasizing strategies used to overcome common technical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaddafi I Danmaliki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Peter M Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada.
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41
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Seki E, Yanagisawa T, Kuratani M, Sakamoto K, Yokoyama S. Fully Productive Cell-Free Genetic Code Expansion by Structure-Based Engineering of Methanomethylophilus alvus Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetase. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:718-732. [PMID: 32182048 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS)/tRNAPyl pairs from Methanosarcina mazei and Methanosarcina barkeri are widely used for site-specific incorporations of non-canonical amino acids into proteins (genetic code expansion). In this study, we achieved the full productivity of cell-free protein synthesis for difficult, bulky non-canonical amino acids, such as Nε-((((E)-cyclooct-2-en-1-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-l-lysine (TCO*Lys), by using Methanomethylophilus alvus PylRS. First, based on the crystal structure of M. alvus PylRS, the productivities for various non-canonical amino acids were greatly increased by rational engineering of the amino acid-binding pocket. The productivities were further enhanced by using a much higher concentration of PylRS over that of M. mazei PylRS, or by mutating the outer layer of the amino acid-binding pocket. Thus, we achieved full productivity even for TCO*Lys. The quantity and quality of the cell-free-produced antibody fragment containing TCO*Lys were drastically improved. These results demonstrate the importance of full productivity for the expanded genetic code.
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42
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Petkova B, Tcholakova S, Chenkova M, Golemanov K, Denkov N, Thorley D, Stoyanov S. Foamability of aqueous solutions: Role of surfactant type and concentration. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 276:102084. [PMID: 31884021 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2019.102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In this paper we study the main surface characteristics which control the foamability of solutions of various surfactants. Systematic series of experiments with anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants with different head groups and chain lengths are performed in a wide concentration range, from 0.001 mM to 100 mM. The electrolyte (NaCl) concentration is also varied from 0 up to 100 mM. For all surfactants studied, three regions in the dependence of the foamability, VA, on the logarithm of surfactant concentration, lgCS, are observed. In Region 1, VA is very low and depends weakly on CS. In Region 2, VA increases steeply with CS. In Region 3, VA reaches a plateau. To analyse these results, the dynamic and equilibrium surface tensions of the foamed solutions are measured. A key new element in our interpretation of the foaming data is that we use the surface tension measurements to determine the dependence of the main surface properties (surfactant adsorption, surface coverage and surface elasticity) on the surface age of the bubbles. In this way we interpret the results from the foaming tests by considering the properties of the dynamic adsorption layers, formed during foaming. The performed analysis reveals a large qualitative difference between the nonionic and ionic surfactants with respect to their foaming profiles. The data for the nonionic and ionic surfactants merge around two master curves when plotted as a function of the surface coverage, the surface mobility factor, or the Gibbs elasticity of the dynamic adsorption layers. This difference between the ionic and nonionic surfactants is explained with the important contribution of the electrostatic repulsion between the foam film surfaces for the ionic surfactants which stabilizes the dynamic foam films even at moderate surface coverage and at relatively high ionic strength (up to 100 mM). In contrast, the films formed from solutions of nonionic surfactants are stabilized via steric repulsion which becomes sufficiently high to prevent bubble coalescence only at rather high surface coverage (> 90%) which corresponds to related high Gibbs elasticity (> 150 mN/m) and low surface mobility of the dynamic adsorption layers. Mechanistic explanations of all observed trends are provided and some important similarities and differences with the process of emulsification are outlined.
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43
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Schütz S, Sprangers R. Methyl TROSY spectroscopy: A versatile NMR approach to study challenging biological systems. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2020; 116:56-84. [PMID: 32130959 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
A major goal in structural biology is to unravel how molecular machines function in detail. To that end, solution-state NMR spectroscopy is ideally suited as it is able to study biological assemblies in a near natural environment. Based on methyl TROSY methods, it is now possible to record high-quality data on complexes that are far over 100 kDa in molecular weight. In this review, we discuss the theoretical background of methyl TROSY spectroscopy, the information that can be extracted from methyl TROSY spectra and approaches that can be used to assign methyl resonances in large complexes. In addition, we touch upon insights that have been obtained for a number of challenging biological systems, including the 20S proteasome, the RNA exosome, molecular chaperones and G-protein-coupled receptors. We anticipate that methyl TROSY methods will be increasingly important in modern structural biology approaches, where information regarding static structures is complemented with insights into conformational changes and dynamic intermolecular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schütz
- Institute of Biophysics and Physical Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Remco Sprangers
- Institute of Biophysics and Physical Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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44
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Wang PH, Fujishima K, Berhanu S, Kuruma Y, Jia TZ, Khusnutdinova AN, Yakunin AF, McGlynn SE. A Bifunctional Polyphosphate Kinase Driving the Regeneration of Nucleoside Triphosphate and Reconstituted Cell-Free Protein Synthesis. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:36-42. [PMID: 31829622 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Reconstituted cell-free protein synthesis systems (e.g., the PURE system) allow the expression of toxic proteins, hetero-oligomeric protein subunits, and proteins with noncanonical amino acids with high levels of homogeneity. In these systems, an artificial ATP/GTP regeneration system is required to drive protein synthesis, which is accomplished using three kinases and phosphocreatine. Here, we demonstrate the replacement of these three kinases with one bifunctional Cytophaga hutchinsonii polyphosphate kinase that phosphorylates nucleosides in an exchange reaction from polyphosphate. The optimized single-kinase system produced a final sfGFP concentration (∼530 μg/mL) beyond that of the three-kinase system (∼400 μg/mL), with a 5-fold faster mRNA translation rate in the first 90 min. The single-kinase system is also compatible with the expression of heat-sensitive firefly luciferase at 37 °C. Potentially, the single-kinase nucleoside triphosphate regeneration approach developed herein could expand future applications of cell-free protein synthesis systems and could be used to drive other biochemical processes in synthetic biology which require both ATP and GTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Hsiang Wang
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
| | - Kosuke Fujishima
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, 108-8345, Japan
| | - Samuel Berhanu
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yutetsu Kuruma
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
- JST, PRESTO, Saitama, 102-0076, Japan
| | - Tony Z. Jia
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington 98154, United States
| | - Anna N. Khusnutdinova
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario ON M5S, Canada
| | - Alexander F. Yakunin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario ON M5S, Canada
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales LL57 2DG, United Kingdom
| | - Shawn E. McGlynn
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington 98154, United States
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45
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Franco ML, Nadezhdin KD, Goncharuk SA, Mineev KS, Arseniev AS, Vilar M. Structural basis of the transmembrane domain dimerization and rotation in the activation mechanism of the TRKA receptor by nerve growth factor. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:275-286. [PMID: 31801826 PMCID: PMC6952603 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropomyosin-receptor kinases (TRKs) are essential for the development of the nervous system. The molecular mechanism of TRKA activation by its ligand nerve growth factor (NGF) is still unsolved. Recent results indicate that at endogenous levels most of TRKA is in a monomer-dimer equilibrium and that the binding of NGF induces an increase of the dimeric and oligomeric forms of this receptor. An unsolved issue is the role of the TRKA transmembrane domain (TMD) in the dimerization of TRKA and the structural details of the TMD in the active dimer receptor. Here, we found that the TRKA-TMD can form dimers, identified the structural determinants of the dimer interface in the active receptor, and validated this interface through site-directed mutagenesis together with functional and cell differentiation studies. Using in vivo cross-linking, we found that the extracellular juxtamembrane region is reordered after ligand binding. Replacement of some residues in the juxtamembrane region with cysteine resulted in ligand-independent active dimers and revealed the preferred dimer interface. Moreover, insertion of leucine residues into the TMD helix induced a ligand-independent TRKA activation, suggesting that a rotation of the TMD dimers underlies NGF-induced TRKA activation. Altogether, our findings indicate that the transmembrane and juxtamembrane regions of TRKA play key roles in its dimerization and activation by NGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- María L Franco
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 46010 València, Spain
| | - Kirill D Nadezhdin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey A Goncharuk
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation
| | - Konstantin S Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander S Arseniev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation.
| | - Marçal Vilar
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 46010 València, Spain.
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46
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MacVicar T, Ohba Y, Nolte H, Mayer FC, Tatsuta T, Sprenger HG, Lindner B, Zhao Y, Li J, Bruns C, Krüger M, Habich M, Riemer J, Schwarzer R, Pasparakis M, Henschke S, Brüning JC, Zamboni N, Langer T. Lipid signalling drives proteolytic rewiring of mitochondria by YME1L. Nature 2019; 575:361-365. [PMID: 31695197 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1738-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Reprogramming of mitochondria provides cells with the metabolic flexibility required to adapt to various developmental transitions such as stem cell activation or immune cell reprogramming, and to respond to environmental challenges such as those encountered under hypoxic conditions or during tumorigenesis1-3. Here we show that the i-AAA protease YME1L rewires the proteome of pre-existing mitochondria in response to hypoxia or nutrient starvation. Inhibition of mTORC1 induces a lipid signalling cascade via the phosphatidic acid phosphatase LIPIN1, which decreases phosphatidylethanolamine levels in mitochondrial membranes and promotes proteolysis. YME1L degrades mitochondrial protein translocases, lipid transfer proteins and metabolic enzymes to acutely limit mitochondrial biogenesis and support cell growth. YME1L-mediated mitochondrial reshaping supports the growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells as spheroids or xenografts. Similar changes to the mitochondrial proteome occur in the tumour tissues of patients with PDAC, suggesting that YME1L is relevant to the pathophysiology of these tumours. Our results identify the mTORC1-LIPIN1-YME1L axis as a post-translational regulator of mitochondrial proteostasis at the interface between metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas MacVicar
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yohsuke Ohba
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hendrik Nolte
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Takashi Tatsuta
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Sprenger
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Barbara Lindner
- Institute of Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jiahui Li
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christiane Bruns
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Institute of Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Markus Habich
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Riemer
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Robin Schwarzer
- Institute of Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Manolis Pasparakis
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sinika Henschke
- Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jens C Brüning
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEPD), University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nicola Zamboni
- Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Langer
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany. .,Institute of Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. .,Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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47
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Yue K, Trung TN, Zhu Y, Kaldenhoff R, Kai L. Co-Translational Insertion of Aquaporins into Liposome for Functional Analysis via an E. coli Based Cell-Free Protein Synthesis System. Cells 2019; 8:E1325. [PMID: 31717877 PMCID: PMC6912355 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins are important and well-studied water channel membrane proteins. However, being membrane proteins, sample preparation for functional analysis is tedious and time-consuming. In this paper, we report a new approach for the co-translational insertion of two aquaporins from Escherichia coli and Nicotiana tabacum using the CFPS system. This was done in the presence of liposomes with a modified procedure to form homogenous proteo-liposomes suitable for functional analysis of water permeability using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Two model aquaporins, AqpZ and NtPIP2;1, were successfully incorporated into the liposome in their active forms. Shifted green fluorescent protein was fused to the C-terminal part of AqpZ to monitor its insertion and status in the lipid environment. This new fast approach offers a fast and straightforward method for the functional analysis of aquaporins in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Yue
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 22116, China;
| | - Tran Nam Trung
- Department of Biology, Applied Plant Sciences, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahn Strasse 10, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany; (T.N.T.); (R.K.)
| | - Yiyong Zhu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China;
| | - Ralf Kaldenhoff
- Department of Biology, Applied Plant Sciences, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahn Strasse 10, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany; (T.N.T.); (R.K.)
| | - Lei Kai
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 22116, China;
- Department of Biology, Applied Plant Sciences, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahn Strasse 10, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany; (T.N.T.); (R.K.)
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, D-82152 Martinsried, Germany
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48
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Khambhati K, Bhattacharjee G, Gohil N, Braddick D, Kulkarni V, Singh V. Exploring the Potential of Cell-Free Protein Synthesis for Extending the Abilities of Biological Systems. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:248. [PMID: 31681738 PMCID: PMC6797904 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system is a simple, rapid, and sensitive tool that is devoid of membrane-bound barriers, yet contains all the mandatory substrates, biomolecules, and machineries required for the synthesis of the desired proteins. It has the potential to overcome loopholes in the current in vivo production systems and is a promising tool in both basic and applied scientific research. It facilitates a simplified organization of desired experiments with a variety of reaction conditions, making CFPS a powerful tool in biological research. It has been used for the expansion of genetic code, assembly of viruses, and in metabolic engineering for production of toxic and complex proteins. Subsequently, CFPS systems have emerged as potent technology for high-throughput production of membrane proteins, enzymes, and therapeutics. The present review highlights the recent advances and uses of CFPS systems in biomedical, therapeutic, and biotechnological applications. Additionally, we highlight possible solutions to the potential biosafety issues that may be encountered while using CFPS technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushal Khambhati
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Gargi Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Nisarg Gohil
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, India
| | | | - Vishwesh Kulkarni
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Vijai Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, India
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49
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Souza SA, Kurohara DT, Dabalos CL, Ng HL. G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor Production Using an Escherichia coli Cell-Free Expression System. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 97:e88. [PMID: 31517450 DOI: 10.1002/cpps.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Heterologous expression of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) comes with a suite of challenges intrinsic to membrane proteins. This receptor's low expression levels and tendency to form insoluble aggregates in Escherichia coli and yeast make it a difficult receptor-target to study. In this unit, we detail steps to produce monomeric GPER using a precipitation-based cell-free system. We provide information on the DNA construct for expression, the pipetting scheme for the reaction supplements to generate a master mix, and the cell-free reaction setup. In the last portion of this unit, we outline steps for solubilization and purification, and we provide a viable method for qualitatively observing functionality by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry detection. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson A Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
| | - Dane T Kurohara
- Department of Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i
| | - Chester L Dabalos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i
| | - Ho Leung Ng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
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Cui Z, Wu Y, Mureev S, Alexandrov K. Oligonucleotide-mediated tRNA sequestration enables one-pot sense codon reassignment in vitro. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:6387-6400. [PMID: 29846683 PMCID: PMC6158751 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sense codon reassignment to unnatural amino acids (uAAs) represents a powerful approach for introducing novel properties into polypeptides. The main obstacle to this approach is competition between the native isoacceptor tRNA(s) and orthogonal tRNA(s) for the reassigned codon. While several chromatographic and enzymatic procedures for selective deactivation of tRNA isoacceptors in cell-free translation systems exist, they are complex and not scalable. We designed a set of tRNA antisense oligonucleotides composed of either deoxy-, ribo- or 2′-O-methyl ribonucleotides and tested their ability to efficiently complex tRNAs of choice. Methylated oligonucleotides targeting sequence between the anticodon and variable loop of tRNASerGCU displayed subnanomolar binding affinity with slow dissociation kinetics. Such oligonucleotides efficiently and selectively sequestered native tRNASerGCU directly in translation-competent Escherichia coli S30 lysate, thereby, abrogating its translational activity and liberating the AGU/AGC codons. Expression of eGFP protein from the template harboring a single reassignable AGU codon in tRNASerGCU-depleted E. coli lysate allowed its homogeneous modification with n-propargyl-l-lysine or p-azido-l-phenylalanine. The strategy developed here is generic, as demonstrated by sequestration of tRNAArgCCU isoacceptor in E. coli translation system. Furthermore, this method is likely to be species-independent and was successfully applied to the eukaryotic Leishmania tarentolae in vitro translation system. This approach represents a new direction in genetic code reassignment with numerous practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenling Cui
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Yue Wu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sergey Mureev
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kirill Alexandrov
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,Australian Institute for Bioengeneering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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