1
|
Talandashti R, van Ek L, Gehin C, Xue D, Moqadam M, Gavin AC, Reuter N. Membrane specificity of the human cholesterol transfer protein STARD4. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168572. [PMID: 38615744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
STARD4 regulates cholesterol homeostasis by transferring cholesterol between the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. The STARD4 structure features a helix-grip fold surrounding a large hydrophobic cavity holding the sterol. Its access is controlled by a gate formed by the Ω1 and Ω4 loops and the C-terminal α-helix. Little is known about the mechanisms by which STARD4 binds to membranes and extracts/releases cholesterol. All available structures of STARD4 are without a bound sterol and display the same closed conformation of the gate. The cholesterol transfer activity of the mouse STARD4 is enhanced in the presence of anionic lipids, and in particular of phosphatidylinositol biphosphates (PIP2) for which two binding sites were proposed on the mouse STARD4 surface. Yet only one of these sites is conserved in human STARD4. We here report the results of a liposome microarray-based assay and microseconds-long molecular dynamics simulations of human STARD4 with complex lipid bilayers mimicking the composition of the donor and acceptor membranes. We show that the binding of apo form of human STARD4 is sensitive to the presence of PIP2 through two specific binding sites, one of which was not identified on mouse STARD4. We report two novel conformations of the gate in holo-STARD4: a yet-unobserved close conformation and an open conformation of Ω4 shedding light on the opening/closure mechanism needed for cholesterol uptake/release. Overall, the modulation of human STARD4 membrane-binding by lipid composition, and by the presence of the cargo supports the capacity of human STARD4 to achieve directed transfer between specific organelle membranes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Talandashti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway; Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway
| | - Larissa van Ek
- Department of Cellular Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Gehin
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dandan Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway; Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway
| | - Mahmoud Moqadam
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway; Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway
| | - Anne-Claude Gavin
- Department of Cellular Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Reuter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway; Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hasanbasri Z, Tessmer MH, Stoll S, Saxena S. Modeling of Cu(II)-based protein spin labels using rotamer libraries. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:6806-6816. [PMID: 38324256 PMCID: PMC10883468 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05951k] [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: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The bifunctional spin label double-histidine copper-(II) capped with nitrilotriacetate [dHis-Cu(II)-NTA], used in conjunction with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) methods can provide high-resolution distance data for investigating protein structure and backbone conformational diversity. Quantitative utilization of this data is limited due to a lack of rapid and accurate dHis-Cu(II)-NTA modeling methods that can be used to translate experimental data into modeling restraints. Here, we develop two dHis-Cu(II)-NTA rotamer libraries using a set of recently published molecular dynamics simulations and a semi-empirical meta-dynamics-based conformational ensemble sampling tool for use with the recently developed chiLife bifunctional spin label modeling method. The accuracy of both the libraries and the modeling method are tested by comparing model predictions to experimentally determined distance distributions. We show that this method is accurate with absolute deviation between the predicted and experimental modes between 0.0-1.2 Å with an average of 0.6 Å over the test data used. In doing so, we also validate the generality of the chiLife bifunctional label modeling method. Taken together, the increased structural resolution and modeling accuracy of dHis-Cu(II)-NTA over other spin labels promise improvements in the accuracy and resolution of protein models by EPR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zikri Hasanbasri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
| | - Maxx H Tessmer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Stefan Stoll
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Sunil Saxena
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Beck M, Covino R, Hänelt I, Müller-McNicoll M. Understanding the cell: Future views of structural biology. Cell 2024; 187:545-562. [PMID: 38306981 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Determining the structure and mechanisms of all individual functional modules of cells at high molecular detail has often been seen as equal to understanding how cells work. Recent technical advances have led to a flush of high-resolution structures of various macromolecular machines, but despite this wealth of detailed information, our understanding of cellular function remains incomplete. Here, we discuss present-day limitations of structural biology and highlight novel technologies that may enable us to analyze molecular functions directly inside cells. We predict that the progression toward structural cell biology will involve a shift toward conceptualizing a 4D virtual reality of cells using digital twins. These will capture cellular segments in a highly enriched molecular detail, include dynamic changes, and facilitate simulations of molecular processes, leading to novel and experimentally testable predictions. Transferring biological questions into algorithms that learn from the existing wealth of data and explore novel solutions may ultimately unveil how cells work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Beck
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Roberto Covino
- Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Ruth-Moufang-Straße 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Inga Hänelt
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bogetti X, Saxena S. Integrating Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Computational Modeling to Measure Protein Structure and Dynamics. Chempluschem 2024; 89:e202300506. [PMID: 37801003 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has become a powerful probe of conformational heterogeneity and dynamics of biomolecules. In this Review, we discuss different computational modeling techniques that enrich the interpretation of EPR measurements of dynamics or distance restraints. A variety of spin labels are surveyed to provide a background for the discussion of modeling tools. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of models containing spin labels provide dynamical properties of biomolecules and their labels. These simulations can be used to predict EPR spectra, sample stable conformations and sample rotameric preferences of label sidechains. For molecular motions longer than milliseconds, enhanced sampling strategies and de novo prediction software incorporating or validated by EPR measurements are able to efficiently refine or predict protein conformations, respectively. To sample large-amplitude conformational transition, a coarse-grained or an atomistic weighted ensemble (WE) strategy can be guided with EPR insights. Looking forward, we anticipate an integrative strategy for efficient sampling of alternate conformations by de novo predictions, followed by validations by systematic EPR measurements and MD simulations. Continuous pathways between alternate states can be further sampled by WE-MD including all intermediate states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Bogetti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Sunil Saxena
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen I, Wu Q, Font J, Ryan RM. The twisting elevator mechanism of glutamate transporters reveals the structural basis for the dual transport-channel functions. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 75:102405. [PMID: 35709614 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate transporters facilitate the removal of this excitatory neurotransmitter from the synapse. Increasing evidence indicates that this process is linked to intrinsic chloride channel activity that is thermodynamically uncoupled from substrate transport. A recent cryo-EM structure of GltPh - an archaeal homolog of the glutamate transporters - in an open channel state has shed light on the structural basis for channel opening formed at the interface of two domains within the transporter which is gated by two clusters of hydrophobic residues. These transporters cycle through several conformational states during the transport process, including the chloride conducting state, which appears to be stabilised by protein-membrane interactions and membrane deformation. Several point mutations that perturb the chloride conductance can have detrimental effects and are linked to the pathogenesis of the neurological disorder, episodic ataxia type 6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ichia Chen
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Qianyi Wu
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Josep Font
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Renae M Ryan
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sauer DB, Marden JJ, Sudar JC, Song J, Mulligan C, Wang DN. Structural basis of ion - substrate coupling in the Na +-dependent dicarboxylate transporter VcINDY. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2644. [PMID: 35551191 PMCID: PMC9098524 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30406-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Na+-dependent dicarboxylate transporter from Vibrio cholerae (VcINDY) is a prototype for the divalent anion sodium symporter (DASS) family. While the utilization of an electrochemical Na+ gradient to power substrate transport is well established for VcINDY, the structural basis of this coupling between sodium and substrate binding is not currently understood. Here, using a combination of cryo-EM structure determination, succinate binding and site-directed cysteine alkylation assays, we demonstrate that the VcINDY protein couples sodium- and substrate-binding via a previously unseen cooperative mechanism by conformational selection. In the absence of sodium, substrate binding is abolished, with the succinate binding regions exhibiting increased flexibility, including HPinb, TM10b and the substrate clamshell motifs. Upon sodium binding, these regions become structurally ordered and create a proper binding site for the substrate. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that VcINDY's conformational selection mechanism is a result of the sodium-dependent formation of the substrate binding site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David B Sauer
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jennifer J Marden
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Joseph C Sudar
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Jinmei Song
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | | | - Da-Neng Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Distinct roles of the Na + binding sites in the allosteric coupling mechanism of the glutamate transporter homolog, Glt Ph. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2121653119. [PMID: 35507872 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2121653119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceGlutamate transporters harness ionic gradients present across the membrane for the rapid removal of glutamate from the synaptic space. Normal function of glutamate transporters is required for efficient synaptic transmission and preventing excitotoxicity. Central to the transport mechanism is the coupled binding of Na+ and the substrate. While structural studies have identified the Na+ and the substrate binding sites, the mechanism by which Na+ and substrate binding is coupled is not known. In this study, we developed assays to monitor Na+ binding and to track key conformational changes in GltPh, an archaeal homolog of glutamate transporters. We use these assays along with previously developed assays to describe the specific roles of the Na+ sites in the coupling mechanism.
Collapse
|
8
|
Fan C, Rees DC. Glutathione binding to the plant AtAtm3 transporter and implications for the conformational coupling of ABC transporters. eLife 2022; 11:76140. [PMID: 35333177 PMCID: PMC9000953 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter of mitochondria (Atm) from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtAtm3) has been implicated in the maturation of cytosolic iron-sulfur proteins and heavy metal detoxification, plausibly by exporting glutathione derivatives. Using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, we have determined four structures of AtAtm3 in three different conformational states: two inward-facing conformations (with and without bound oxidized glutathione (GSSG)), together with closed and outward-facing states stabilized by MgADP-VO4. These structures not only provide a structural framework for defining the alternating access transport cycle, but also reveal the paucity of cysteine residues in the glutathione binding site that could potentially form inhibitory mixed disulfides with GSSG. Despite extensive efforts, we were unable to prepare the ternary complex of AtAtm3 containing both GSSG and MgATP. A survey of structurally characterized type IV ABC transporters that includes AtAtm3 establishes that while nucleotides are found associated with all conformational states, they are effectively required to stabilize occluded, closed, and outward-facing conformations. In contrast, transport substrates have only been observed associated with inward-facing conformations. The absence of structures with dimerized nucleotide binding domains containing both nucleotide and transport substrate suggests that this form of the ternary complex exists only transiently during the transport cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Fan
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States
| | - Douglas C Rees
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Puthenveetil R, Christenson ET, Vinogradova O. New Horizons in Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins: Experimental Evaluation of the Role of Conformational Dynamics and Intrinsic Flexibility. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:227. [PMID: 35207148 PMCID: PMC8877495 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12020227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A plethora of membrane proteins are found along the cell surface and on the convoluted labyrinth of membranes surrounding organelles. Since the advent of various structural biology techniques, a sub-population of these proteins has become accessible to investigation at near-atomic resolutions. The predominant bona fide methods for structure solution, X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, provide high resolution in three-dimensional space at the cost of neglecting protein motions through time. Though structures provide various rigid snapshots, only an amorphous mechanistic understanding can be inferred from interpolations between these different static states. In this review, we discuss various techniques that have been utilized in observing dynamic conformational intermediaries that remain elusive from rigid structures. More specifically we discuss the application of structural techniques such as NMR, cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography in studying protein dynamics along with complementation by conformational trapping by specific binders such as antibodies. We finally showcase the strength of various biophysical techniques including FRET, EPR and computational approaches using a multitude of succinct examples from GPCRs, transporters and ion channels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robbins Puthenveetil
- Section on Structural and Chemical Biology of Membrane Proteins, Neurosciences and Cellular and Structural Biology Division, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 35A Convent Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Olga Vinogradova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Duan H, Zhou Y, Shi X, Luo Q, Gao J, Liang L, Liu W, Peng L, Deng D, Hu J. Allosteric and transport modulation of human concentrative nucleoside transporter 3 at the atomic scale. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:25401-25413. [PMID: 34751688 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp03756k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Nucleosides are important precursors of nucleotide synthesis in cells, and nucleoside transporters play an important role in many physiological processes by mediating transmembrane transport and absorption. During nucleoside transport, such proteins undergo a significant conformational transition between the outward- and inward-facing states, which leads to alternating access of the substrate-binding site to either side of the membrane. In this work, a variety of molecular simulation methods have been applied to comparatively investigate the motion modes of human concentrative nucleoside transporter 3 (hCNT3) in three states, as well as global and local cavity conformational changes; and finally, a possible elevator-like transport mechanism consistent with experimental data was proposed. The results of the Gaussian network model (GNM) and anisotropic network model (ANM) show that hCNT3 as a whole tends to contract inwards and shift towards a membrane inside, exhibiting an allosteric process that is more energetically favorable than the rigid conversion. To reveal the complete allosteric process of hCNT3 in detail, a series of intermediate conformations were obtained by an adaptive anisotropic network model (aANM). One of the simulated intermediate states is similar to that of a crystal structure, which indicates that the allosteric process is reliable; the state with lower energy is slightly inclined to the inward-facing structure rather than the expected intermediate crystal structure. The final HOLE analysis showed that except for the outward-facing state, the transport channels were gradually enlarged, which was conductive to the directional transport of nucleosides. Our work provides a theoretical basis for the multistep elevator-like transportation mechanism of nucleosides, which helps to further understand the dynamic recognition between nucleoside substrates and hCNT3 as well as the design of nucleoside anticancer drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huaichuan Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yanxia Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xiaodong Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Qing Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jiaxing Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Li Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Lianxin Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Dong Deng
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jianping Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Majeed S, Ahmad AB, Sehar U, Georgieva ER. Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:685. [PMID: 34564502 PMCID: PMC8470526 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11090685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) fulfill important physiological functions by providing cell-environment, cell-cell and virus-host communication; nutrients intake; export of toxic compounds out of cells; and more. However, some IMPs have obliterated functions due to polypeptide mutations, modifications in membrane properties and/or other environmental factors-resulting in damaged binding to ligands and the adoption of non-physiological conformations that prevent the protein from returning to its physiological state. Thus, elucidating IMPs' mechanisms of function and malfunction at the molecular level is important for enhancing our understanding of cell and organism physiology. This understanding also helps pharmaceutical developments for restoring or inhibiting protein activity. To this end, in vitro studies provide invaluable information about IMPs' structure and the relation between structural dynamics and function. Typically, these studies are conducted on transferred from native membranes to membrane-mimicking nano-platforms (membrane mimetics) purified IMPs. Here, we review the most widely used membrane mimetics in structural and functional studies of IMPs. These membrane mimetics are detergents, liposomes, bicelles, nanodiscs/Lipodisqs, amphipols, and lipidic cubic phases. We also discuss the protocols for IMPs reconstitution in membrane mimetics as well as the applicability of these membrane mimetic-IMP complexes in studies via a variety of biochemical, biophysical, and structural biology techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saman Majeed
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Akram Bani Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Ujala Sehar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Elka R Georgieva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kinetic mechanism of Na +-coupled aspartate transport catalyzed by Glt Tk. Commun Biol 2021; 4:751. [PMID: 34140623 PMCID: PMC8211817 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02267-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well-established that the secondary active transporters GltTk and GltPh catalyze coupled uptake of aspartate and three sodium ions, but insight in the kinetic mechanism of transport is fragmentary. Here, we systematically measured aspartate uptake rates in proteoliposomes containing purified GltTk, and derived the rate equation for a mechanism in which two sodium ions bind before and another after aspartate. Re-analysis of existing data on GltPh using this equation allowed for determination of the turnover number (0.14 s−1), without the need for error-prone protein quantification. To overcome the complication that purified transporters may adopt right-side-out or inside-out membrane orientations upon reconstitution, thereby confounding the kinetic analysis, we employed a rapid method using synthetic nanobodies to inactivate one population. Oppositely oriented GltTk proteins showed the same transport kinetics, consistent with the use of an identical gating element on both sides of the membrane. Our work underlines the value of bona fide transport experiments to reveal mechanistic features of Na+-aspartate symport that cannot be observed in detergent solution. Combined with previous pre-equilibrium binding studies, a full kinetic mechanism of structurally characterized aspartate transporters of the SLC1A family is now emerging. Trinco et al. measure aspartate uptake rates in proteoliposomes containing purified prokaryotic Na+-coupled aspartate transporter GltTk. To overcome limitation of protein orientation, they use synthetic nanobody that blocks transporters from outside and reveal mechanistic features of Na+-aspartate symport that cannot be observed in detergent solution.
Collapse
|
13
|
Hariharan P, Guan L. Cooperative binding ensures the obligatory melibiose/Na+ cotransport in MelB. J Gen Physiol 2021; 153:212278. [PMID: 34110360 PMCID: PMC8200842 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202012710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MelB catalyzes the obligatory cotransport of melibiose with Na+, Li+, or H+. Crystal structure determination of the Salmonella typhimurium MelB (MelBSt) has revealed a typical major facilitator superfamily (MFS) fold at a periplasmic open conformation. Cooperative binding of Na+ and melibiose has been previously established. To determine why cotranslocation of sugar solute and cation is obligatory, we analyzed each binding in the thermodynamic cycle using three independent methods, including the determination of melting temperature by circular dichroism spectroscopy, heat capacity change (ΔCp), and regulatory phosphotransferase EIIAGlc binding with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). We found that MelBSt thermostability is increased by either substrate (Na+ or melibiose) and observed a cooperative effect of both substrates. ITC measurements showed that either binary formation yields a positive sign in the ΔCp, suggesting MelBSt hydration and a likely widening of the periplasmic cavity. Conversely, formation of a ternary complex yields negative values in ΔCp, suggesting MelBSt dehydration and cavity closure. Lastly, we observed that EIIAGlc, which has been suggested to trap MelBSt at an outward-open state, readily binds to the MelBSt apo state at an affinity similar to MelBSt/Na+. However, it has a suboptimal binding to the ternary state, implying that MelBSt in the ternary complex may be conformationally distant from the EIIAGlc-preferred outward-facing conformation. Our results consistently support the notion that binding of one substrate (Na+ or melibiose) favors MelBSt at open states, whereas the cooperative binding of both substrates triggers the alternating-access process, thus suggesting this conformational regulation could ensure the obligatory cotransport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hasanbasri Z, Singewald K, Gluth TD, Driesschaert B, Saxena S. Cleavage-Resistant Protein Labeling With Hydrophilic Trityl Enables Distance Measurements In-Cell. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:5265-5274. [PMID: 33983738 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c02371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sensitive in-cell distance measurements in proteins using pulsed-electron spin resonance (ESR) require reduction-resistant and cleavage-resistant spin labels. Among the reduction-resistant moieties, the hydrophilic trityl core known as OX063 is promising due to its long phase-memory relaxation time (Tm). This property leads to a sufficiently intense ESR signal for reliable distance measurements. Furthermore, the Tm of OX063 remains sufficiently long at higher temperatures, opening the possibility for measurements at temperatures above 50 K. In this work, we synthesized deuterated OX063 with a maleimide linker (mOX063-d24). We show that the combination of the hydrophilicity of the label and the maleimide linker enables high protein labeling that is cleavage-resistant in-cells. Distance measurements performed at 150 K using this label are more sensitive than the measurements at 80 K. The sensitivity gain is due to the significantly short longitudinal relaxation time (T1) at higher temperatures, which enables more data collection per unit of time. In addition to in vitro experiments, we perform distance measurements in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Interestingly, the Tm of mOX063-d24 is sufficiently long even in the crowded environment of the cell, leading to signals of appreciable intensity. Overall, mOX063-d24 provides highly sensitive distance measurements both in vitro and in-cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zikri Hasanbasri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Kevin Singewald
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Teresa D Gluth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy & In Vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance (IMMR) Center, Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| | - Benoit Driesschaert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy & In Vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance (IMMR) Center, Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| | - Sunil Saxena
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Huysmans GHM, Ciftci D, Wang X, Blanchard SC, Boudker O. The high-energy transition state of the glutamate transporter homologue GltPh. EMBO J 2021; 40:e105415. [PMID: 33185289 PMCID: PMC7780239 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane transporters mediate cellular uptake of nutrients, signaling molecules, and drugs. Their overall mechanisms are often well understood, but the structural features setting their rates are mostly unknown. Earlier single-molecule fluorescence imaging of the archaeal model glutamate transporter homologue GltPh from Pyrococcus horikoshii suggested that the slow conformational transition from the outward- to the inward-facing state, when the bound substrate is translocated from the extracellular to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane, is rate limiting to transport. Here, we provide insight into the structure of the high-energy transition state of GltPh that limits the rate of the substrate translocation process. Using bioinformatics, we identified GltPh gain-of-function mutations in the flexible helical hairpin domain HP2 and applied linear free energy relationship analysis to infer that the transition state structurally resembles the inward-facing conformation. Based on these analyses, we propose an approach to search for allosteric modulators for transporters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerard H M Huysmans
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
- Mass Spectrometry for Biology Unit, USR 2000CNRSInstitut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Didar Ciftci
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
- Tri‐Institutional Training Program in Chemical BiologyNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Scott C Blanchard
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
- Tri‐Institutional Training Program in Chemical BiologyNew YorkNYUSA
- St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Olga Boudker
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
- Tri‐Institutional Training Program in Chemical BiologyNew YorkNYUSA
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseMDUSA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sampson CDD, Stewart MJ, Mindell JA, Mulligan C. Solvent accessibility changes in a Na +-dependent C 4-dicarboxylate transporter suggest differential substrate effects in a multistep mechanism. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:18524-18538. [PMID: 33087444 PMCID: PMC7939474 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The divalent anion sodium symporter (DASS) family (SLC13) plays critical roles in metabolic homeostasis, influencing many processes, including fatty acid synthesis, insulin resistance, and adiposity. DASS transporters catalyze the Na+-driven concentrative uptake of Krebs cycle intermediates and sulfate into cells; disrupting their function can protect against age-related metabolic diseases and can extend lifespan. An inward-facing crystal structure and an outward-facing model of a bacterial DASS family member, VcINDY from Vibrio cholerae, predict an elevator-like transport mechanism involving a large rigid body movement of the substrate-binding site. How substrate binding influences the conformational state of VcINDY is currently unknown. Here, we probe the interaction between substrate binding and protein conformation by monitoring substrate-induced solvent accessibility changes of broadly distributed positions in VcINDY using a site-specific alkylation strategy. Our findings reveal that accessibility to all positions tested is modulated by the presence of substrates, with the majority becoming less accessible in the presence of saturating concentrations of both Na+ and succinate. We also observe separable effects of Na+ and succinate binding at several positions suggesting distinct effects of the two substrates. Furthermore, accessibility changes to a solely succinate-sensitive position suggests that substrate binding is a low-affinity, ordered process. Mapping these accessibility changes onto the structures of VcINDY suggests that Na+ binding drives the transporter into an as-yet-unidentified conformational state, involving rearrangement of the substrate-binding site-associated re-entrant hairpin loops. These findings provide insight into the mechanism of VcINDY, which is currently the only structurally characterized representative of the entire DASS family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Connor D D Sampson
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Stewart
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph A Mindell
- Membrane Transport Biophysics Section, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gamble Jarvi A, Casto J, Saxena S. Buffer effects on site directed Cu 2+-labeling using the double histidine motif. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2020; 320:106848. [PMID: 33164758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2020.106848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The double histidine, or dHis, motif has emerged as a powerful spin labeling tool to determine the conformations and dynamics, subunit orientation, native metal binding site location, and other physical characteristics of proteins by Cu2+-based electron paramagnetic resonance. Here, we investigate the efficacy of this technique in five common buffer systems, and show that buffer choice can impact the loading of Cu2+-NTA into dHis sites, and more generally, the sensitivity of the overall technique. We also present a standardized and optimized examination of labeling of the dHis motif with Cu2+-NTA for EPR based distance measurements. We provide optimal loading procedures, using representative EPR and UV/Vis data for each step in the process. From this data, we find that maximal dHis loading can be achieved in under 30 min with low temperature sample incubation. Using only these optimal procedures, we see up to a 28% increase in fully labeled proteins compared to previously published results in N-ethylmorpholine. Using both this optimized procedure as well as a more optimal buffer, we can achieve up to 80% fully loaded proteins, which corresponds to a 64% increase compared to the prior data. These results provide insight and deeper understanding of the dHis Cu2+-NTA system, the variables that impact its efficacy, and present a method by which these issues may be mitigated for the most efficient labeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin Gamble Jarvi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Joshua Casto
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Sunil Saxena
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Matin TR, Heath GR, Huysmans GHM, Boudker O, Scheuring S. Millisecond dynamics of an unlabeled amino acid transporter. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5016. [PMID: 33024106 PMCID: PMC7538599 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18811-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are important in many physiological processes and crucial for the removal of excitatory amino acids from the synaptic cleft. Here, we develop and apply high-speed atomic force microscopy line-scanning (HS-AFM-LS) combined with automated state assignment and transition analysis for the determination of transport dynamics of unlabeled membrane-reconstituted GltPh, a prokaryotic EAAT homologue, with millisecond temporal resolution. We find that GltPh transporters can operate much faster than previously reported, with state dwell-times in the 50 ms range, and report the kinetics of an intermediate transport state with height between the outward- and inward-facing states. Transport domains stochastically probe transmembrane motion, and reversible unsuccessful excursions to the intermediate state occur. The presented approach and analysis methodology are generally applicable to study transporter kinetics at system-relevant temporal resolution. Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are crucial for the removal of excitatory amino acids from the synaptic cleft. Here authors combined high-speed atomic force microscopy line-scanning with automated state assignment for the determination of transport dynamics of GltPh, a prokaryotic EAAT homologue, with millisecond temporal resolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tina R Matin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - George R Heath
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Gerard H M Huysmans
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Olga Boudker
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Simon Scheuring
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA. .,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Functional (un)cooperativity in elevator transport proteins. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:1047-1055. [PMID: 32573703 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190970] [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: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The activity of enzymes is subject to regulation at multiple levels. Cooperativity, the interconnected behavior of active sites within a protein complex, directly affects protein activity. Cooperativity is a mode of regulation that requires neither extrinsic factors nor protein modifications. Instead, it allows enzymes themselves to modulate reaction rates. Cooperativity is an important regulatory mechanism in soluble proteins, but also examples of cooperative membrane proteins have been described. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on interprotomer cooperativity in elevator-type proteins, a class of membrane transporters characterized by large rigid-body movements perpendicular to the membrane, and highlight well-studied examples and experimental approaches.
Collapse
|
20
|
Wang X, Boudker O. Large domain movements through the lipid bilayer mediate substrate release and inhibition of glutamate transporters. eLife 2020; 9:58417. [PMID: 33155546 PMCID: PMC7682989 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate transporters are essential players in glutamatergic neurotransmission in the brain, where they maintain extracellular glutamate below cytotoxic levels and allow for rounds of transmission. The structural bases of their function are well established, particularly within a model archaeal homolog, sodium, and aspartate symporter GltPh. However, the mechanism of gating on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane remains ambiguous. We report Cryo-EM structures of GltPh reconstituted into nanodiscs, including those structurally constrained in the cytoplasm-facing state and either apo, bound to sodium ions only, substrate, or blockers. The structures show that both substrate translocation and release involve movements of the bulky transport domain through the lipid bilayer. They further reveal a novel mode of inhibitor binding and show how solutes release is coupled to protein conformational changes. Finally, we describe how domain movements are associated with the displacement of bound lipids and significant membrane deformations, highlighting the potential regulatory role of the bilayer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Olga Boudker
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell MedicineNew YorkUnited States,Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhou W, Fiorin G, Anselmi C, Karimi-Varzaneh HA, Poblete H, Forrest LR, Faraldo-Gómez JD. Large-scale state-dependent membrane remodeling by a transporter protein. eLife 2019; 8:50576. [PMID: 31855177 PMCID: PMC6957315 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
That channels and transporters can influence the membrane morphology is increasingly recognized. Less appreciated is that the extent and free-energy cost of these deformations likely varies among different functional states of a protein, and thus, that they might contribute significantly to defining its mechanism. We consider the trimeric Na+-aspartate symporter GltPh, a homolog of an important class of neurotransmitter transporters, whose mechanism entails one of the most drastic structural changes known. Molecular simulations indicate that when the protomers become inward-facing, they cause deep, long-ranged, and yet mutually-independent membrane deformations. Using a novel simulation methodology, we estimate that the free-energy cost of this membrane perturbation is in the order of 6–7 kcal/mol per protomer. Compensating free-energy contributions within the protein or its environment must thus stabilize this inward-facing conformation for the transporter to function. We discuss these striking results in the context of existing experimental observations for this and other transporters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenchang Zhou
- Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Giacomo Fiorin
- Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Claudio Anselmi
- Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Hossein Ali Karimi-Varzaneh
- Computational Structural Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Horacio Poblete
- Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States.,Computational Structural Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Lucy R Forrest
- Computational Structural Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - José D Faraldo-Gómez
- Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kortzak D, Alleva C, Weyand I, Ewers D, Zimmermann MI, Franzen A, Machtens JP, Fahlke C. Allosteric gate modulation confers K + coupling in glutamate transporters. EMBO J 2019; 38:e101468. [PMID: 31506973 PMCID: PMC6769379 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019101468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) mediate glial and neuronal glutamate uptake to terminate synaptic transmission and to ensure low resting glutamate concentrations. Effective glutamate uptake is achieved by cotransport with 3 Na+ and 1 H+, in exchange with 1 K+. The underlying principles of this complex transport stoichiometry remain poorly understood. We use molecular dynamics simulations and electrophysiological experiments to elucidate how mammalian EAATs harness K+ gradients, unlike their K+‐independent prokaryotic homologues. Glutamate transport is achieved via elevator‐like translocation of the transport domain. In EAATs, glutamate‐free re‐translocation is prevented by an external gate remaining open until K+ binding closes and locks the gate. Prokaryotic GltPh contains the same K+‐binding site, but the gate can close without K+. Our study provides a comprehensive description of K+‐dependent glutamate transport and reveals a hitherto unknown allosteric coupling mechanism that permits adaptions of the transport stoichiometry without affecting ion or substrate binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kortzak
- Institute of Complex Systems, Zelluläre Biophysik (ICS-4) and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Claudia Alleva
- Institute of Complex Systems, Zelluläre Biophysik (ICS-4) and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ingo Weyand
- Institute of Complex Systems, Zelluläre Biophysik (ICS-4) and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - David Ewers
- Institute of Complex Systems, Zelluläre Biophysik (ICS-4) and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.,Klinik für klinische Neurophysiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Abteilung für Neurogenetik, Max-Planck-Institut für Experimentelle Medizin, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Meike I Zimmermann
- Institute of Complex Systems, Zelluläre Biophysik (ICS-4) and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Arne Franzen
- Institute of Complex Systems, Zelluläre Biophysik (ICS-4) and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Jan-Philipp Machtens
- Institute of Complex Systems, Zelluläre Biophysik (ICS-4) and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christoph Fahlke
- Institute of Complex Systems, Zelluläre Biophysik (ICS-4) and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Garibsingh RAA, Schlessinger A. Advances and Challenges in Rational Drug Design for SLCs. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:790-800. [PMID: 31519459 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
There are over 420 human solute carrier (SLC) transporters from 65 families that are expressed ubiquitously in the body. The SLCs mediate the movement of ions, drugs, and metabolites across membranes and their dysfunction has been associated with a variety of diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Thus, SLCs are emerging as important targets for therapeutic intervention. Recent technological advances in experimental and computational biology allow better characterization of SLC pharmacology. Here we describe recent approaches to modulate SLC transporter function, with an emphasis on the use of computational approaches and computer-aided drug design (CADD) to study nutrient transporters. Finally, we discuss future perspectives in the rational design of SLC drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel-Ann A Garibsingh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Yardeni EH, Bahrenberg T, Stein RA, Mishra S, Zomot E, Graham B, Tuck KL, Huber T, Bibi E, Mchaourab HS, Goldfarb D. Probing the solution structure of the E. coli multidrug transporter MdfA using DEER distance measurements with nitroxide and Gd(III) spin labels. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12528. [PMID: 31467343 PMCID: PMC6715713 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48694-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Methodological and technological advances in EPR spectroscopy have enabled novel insight into the structural and dynamic aspects of integral membrane proteins. In addition to an extensive toolkit of EPR methods, multiple spin labels have been developed and utilized, among them Gd(III)-chelates which offer high sensitivity at high magnetic fields. Here, we applied a dual labeling approach, employing nitroxide and Gd(III) spin labels, in conjunction with Q-band and W-band double electron-electron resonance (DEER) measurements to characterize the solution structure of the detergent-solubilized multidrug transporter MdfA from E. coli. Our results identify highly flexible regions of MdfA, which may play an important role in its functional dynamics. Comparison of distance distribution of spin label pairs on the periplasm with those calculated using inward- and outward-facing crystal structures of MdfA, show that in detergent micelles, the protein adopts a predominantly outward-facing conformation, although more closed than the crystal structure. The cytoplasmic pairs suggest a small preference to the outward-facing crystal structure, with a somewhat more open conformation than the crystal structure. Parallel DEER measurements with the two types of labels led to similar distance distributions, demonstrating the feasibility of using W-band spectroscopy with a Gd(III) label for investigation of the structural dynamics of membrane proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliane H Yardeni
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Thorsten Bahrenberg
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Richard A Stein
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Smriti Mishra
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Elia Zomot
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Bim Graham
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Kellie L Tuck
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas Huber
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Eitan Bibi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
| | - Hassane S Mchaourab
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Daniella Goldfarb
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Investigation of the allosteric coupling mechanism in a glutamate transporter homolog via unnatural amino acid mutagenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:15939-15946. [PMID: 31332002 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1907852116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate transporters harness the ionic gradients across cell membranes for the concentrative uptake of glutamate. The sodium-coupled Asp symporter, GltPh is an archaeal homolog of glutamate transporters and has been extensively used to understand the transport mechanism. A critical aspect of the transport cycle in GltPh is the coupled binding of sodium and aspartate. Previous studies have suggested a major role for hairpin-2 (HP2), which functions as the extracellular gate for the aspartate binding site, in the coupled binding of sodium and aspartate to GltPh In this study, we develop a fluorescence assay for monitoring HP2 movement by incorporating tryptophan and the unnatural amino acid, p-cyanophenylalanine into GltPh We use the HP2 assays to show that HP2 opening with Na+ follows an induced-fit mechanism. We also determine how residues in the substrate binding site affect the opening and closing of HP2. Our data, combined with previous studies, provide the molecular sequence of events in the coupled binding of sodium and aspartate to GltPh.
Collapse
|
26
|
Chang YN, Jaumann EA, Reichel K, Hartmann J, Oliver D, Hummer G, Joseph B, Geertsma ER. Structural basis for functional interactions in dimers of SLC26 transporters. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2032. [PMID: 31048734 PMCID: PMC6497670 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10001-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The SLC26 family of transporters maintains anion equilibria in all kingdoms of life. The family shares a 7 + 7 transmembrane segments inverted repeat architecture with the SLC4 and SLC23 families, but holds a regulatory STAS domain in addition. While the only experimental SLC26 structure is monomeric, SLC26 proteins form structural and functional dimers in the lipid membrane. Here we resolve the structure of an SLC26 dimer embedded in a lipid membrane and characterize its functional relevance by combining PELDOR/DEER distance measurements and biochemical studies with MD simulations and spin-label ensemble refinement. Our structural model reveals a unique interface different from the SLC4 and SLC23 families. The functionally relevant STAS domain is no prerequisite for dimerization. Characterization of heterodimers indicates that protomers in the dimer functionally interact. The combined structural and functional data define the framework for a mechanistic understanding of functional cooperativity in SLC26 dimers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Ning Chang
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eva A Jaumann
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katrin Reichel
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Str. 3, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Julia Hartmann
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Philipps University, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Oliver
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Philipps University, 35037, Marburg, Germany.,DFG Research Training Group, Membrane Plasticity in Tissue Development and Remodeling, Philipps University, GRK 2213, Philipps, Germany
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Str. 3, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 1, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Benesh Joseph
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 1, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Eric R Geertsma
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Leone V, Waclawska I, Kossmann K, Koshy C, Sharma M, Prisner TF, Ziegler C, Endeward B, Forrest LR. Interpretation of spectroscopic data using molecular simulations for the secondary active transporter BetP. J Gen Physiol 2019; 151:381-394. [PMID: 30728216 PMCID: PMC6400524 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201812111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic understanding of dynamic membrane proteins such as transporters, receptors, and channels requires accurate depictions of conformational ensembles, and the manner in which they interchange as a function of environmental factors including substrates, lipids, and inhibitors. Spectroscopic techniques such as electron spin resonance (ESR) pulsed electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR), also known as double electron-electron resonance (DEER), provide a complement to atomistic structures obtained from x-ray crystallography or cryo-EM, since spectroscopic data reflect an ensemble and can be measured in more native solvents, unperturbed by a crystal lattice. However, attempts to interpret DEER data are frequently stymied by discrepancies with the structural data, which may arise due to differences in conditions, the dynamics of the protein, or the flexibility of the attached paramagnetic spin labels. Recently, molecular simulation techniques such as EBMetaD have been developed that create a conformational ensemble matching an experimental distance distribution while applying the minimal possible bias. Moreover, it has been proposed that the work required during an EBMetaD simulation to match an experimentally determined distribution could be used as a metric with which to assign conformational states to a given measurement. Here, we demonstrate the application of this concept for a sodium-coupled transport protein, BetP. Because the probe, protein, and lipid bilayer are all represented in atomic detail, the different contributions to the work, such as the extent of protein backbone movements, can be separated. This work therefore illustrates how ranking simulations based on EBMetaD can help to bridge the gap between structural and biophysical data and thereby enhance our understanding of membrane protein conformational mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Leone
- Computational Structural Biology Section, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Katharina Kossmann
- Institute of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Caroline Koshy
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Monika Sharma
- Computational Structural Biology Section, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Thomas F Prisner
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christine Ziegler
- Institute of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Burkhard Endeward
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lucy R Forrest
- Computational Structural Biology Section, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Gamble Jarvi A, Cunningham TF, Saxena S. Efficient localization of a native metal ion within a protein by Cu2+-based EPR distance measurements. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:10238-10243. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp07143h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A native paramagnetic metal binding site in a protein is located with less than 2 Å resolution by a combination of double histidine (dHis) based Cu2+ labeling and long range distance measurements by EPR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sunil Saxena
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh
- USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Oh S, Boudker O. Kinetic mechanism of coupled binding in sodium-aspartate symporter GltPh. eLife 2018; 7:37291. [PMID: 30255846 PMCID: PMC6175574 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Many secondary active membrane transporters pump substrates against concentration gradients by coupling their uptake to symport of sodium ions. Symport requires the substrate and ions to be always transported together. Cooperative binding of the solutes is a key mechanism contributing to coupled transport in the sodium and aspartate symporter from Pyrococcus horikoshii GltPh. Here, we describe the kinetic mechanism of coupled binding for GltPh in the inward facing state. The first of the three coupled sodium ions, binds weakly and slowly, enabling the protein to accept the rest of the ions and the substrate. The last ion binds tightly, but is in rapid equilibrium with solution. Its release is required for the complex disassembly. Thus, the first ion serves to ‘open the door’ for the substrate, the last ion ‘locks the door’ once the substrate is in, and one ion contributes to both events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- SeCheol Oh
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, United States
| | - Olga Boudker
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Riederer EA, Focke PJ, Georgieva ER, Akyuz N, Matulef K, Borbat PP, Freed JH, Blanchard SC, Boudker O, Valiyaveetil FI. A facile approach for the in vitro assembly of multimeric membrane transport proteins. eLife 2018; 7:36478. [PMID: 29889023 PMCID: PMC6025958 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins such as ion channels and transporters are frequently homomeric. The homomeric nature raises important questions regarding coupling between subunits and complicates the application of techniques such as FRET or DEER spectroscopy. These challenges can be overcome if the subunits of a homomeric protein can be independently modified for functional or spectroscopic studies. Here, we describe a general approach for in vitro assembly that can be used for the generation of heteromeric variants of homomeric membrane proteins. We establish the approach using GltPh, a glutamate transporter homolog that is trimeric in the native state. We use heteromeric GltPh transporters to directly demonstrate the lack of coupling in substrate binding and demonstrate how heteromeric transporters considerably simplify the application of DEER spectroscopy. Further, we demonstrate the general applicability of this approach by carrying out the in vitro assembly of VcINDY, a Na+-coupled succinate transporter and CLC-ec1, a Cl-/H+ antiporter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika A Riederer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Paul J Focke
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Elka R Georgieva
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, Unites States.,National Biomedical Center for Advanced Electron Spin Resonance Technology, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | | | - Kimberly Matulef
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Peter P Borbat
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, Unites States.,National Biomedical Center for Advanced Electron Spin Resonance Technology, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | - Jack H Freed
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, Unites States.,National Biomedical Center for Advanced Electron Spin Resonance Technology, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | | | - Olga Boudker
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Maryland, United States
| | - Francis I Valiyaveetil
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Yin DM, Hammler D, Peter MF, Marx A, Schmitz A, Hagelueken G. Inhibitor-Directed Spin Labelling-A High Precision and Minimally Invasive Technique to Study the Conformation of Proteins in Solution. Chemistry 2018; 24:6665-6671. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201706047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng M. Yin
- Max Planck Fellow Chemical Biology; Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar); Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2 53175 Bonn Germany
- LIMES Chemical Biology Unit; Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn; Gerhard-Domagk-Strasse 1 53121 Bonn Germany
| | - Daniel Hammler
- Department of Chemistry; University of Konstanz; Universitaetsstraße 10 78457 Konstanz Germany
| | - Martin F. Peter
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry; Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn; Wegelerstrasse 12 53115 Bonn Germany
| | - Andreas Marx
- Department of Chemistry; University of Konstanz; Universitaetsstraße 10 78457 Konstanz Germany
| | - Anton Schmitz
- Max Planck Fellow Chemical Biology; Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar); Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2 53175 Bonn Germany
- LIMES Chemical Biology Unit; Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn; Gerhard-Domagk-Strasse 1 53121 Bonn Germany
| | - Gregor Hagelueken
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry; Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn; Wegelerstrasse 12 53115 Bonn Germany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Gmeiner C, Dorn G, Allain FHT, Jeschke G, Yulikov M. Spin labelling for integrative structure modelling: a case study of the polypyrimidine-tract binding protein 1 domains in complexes with short RNAs. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 19:28360-28380. [PMID: 29034946 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp05822e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A combined method, employing NMR and EPR spectroscopies, has demonstrated its strength in solving structures of protein/RNA and other types of biomolecular complexes. This method works particularly well when the large biomolecular complex consists of a limited number of rigid building blocks, such as RNA-binding protein domains (RBDs). A variety of spin labels is available for such studies, allowing for conventional as well as spectroscopically orthogonal double electron-electron resonance (DEER) measurements in EPR. In this work, we compare different types of nitroxide-based and Gd(iii)-based spin labels attached to isolated RBDs of the polypyrimidine-tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) and to short RNA fragments. In particular, we demonstrate experiments on spectroscopically orthogonal labelled RBD/RNA complexes. For all experiments we analyse spin labelling, DEER method performance, resulting distance distributions, and their consistency with the predictions from the spin label rotamers analysis. This work provides a set of intra-domain calibration DEER data, which can serve as a basis to start structure determination of the full length PTBP1 complex with an RNA derived from encephalomycarditis virus (EMCV) internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). For a series of tested labelling sites, we discuss their particular advantages and drawbacks in such a structure determination approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Gmeiner
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
The contribution of modern EPR to structural biology. Emerg Top Life Sci 2018; 2:9-18. [PMID: 33525779 PMCID: PMC7288997 DOI: 10.1042/etls20170143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy combined with site-directed spin labelling is applicable to biomolecules and their complexes irrespective of system size and in a broad range of environments. Neither short-range nor long-range order is required to obtain structural restraints on accessibility of sites to water or oxygen, on secondary structure, and on distances between sites. Many of the experiments characterize a static ensemble obtained by shock-freezing. Compared with characterizing the dynamic ensemble at ambient temperature, analysis is simplified and information loss due to overlapping timescales of measurement and system dynamics is avoided. The necessity for labelling leads to sparse restraint sets that require integration with data from other methodologies for building models. The double electron–electron resonance experiment provides distance distributions in the nanometre range that carry information not only on the mean conformation but also on the width of the native ensemble. The distribution widths are often inconsistent with Anfinsen's concept that a sequence encodes a single native conformation defined at atomic resolution under physiological conditions.
Collapse
|
34
|
Uchihashi T, Scheuring S. Applications of high-speed atomic force microscopy to real-time visualization of dynamic biomolecular processes. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:229-240. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
35
|
Arkhipova V, Guskov A, Slotboom DJ. Analysis of the quality of crystallographic data and the limitations of structural models. J Gen Physiol 2017; 149:1091-1103. [PMID: 29089418 PMCID: PMC5715909 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201711852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Arkhipova et al. caution that the limitations of structural models be taken into account when interpreting crystallographic data. Crystal structures provide visual models of biological macromolecules, which are widely used to interpret data from functional studies and generate new mechanistic hypotheses. Because the quality of the collected x-ray diffraction data directly affects the reliability of the structural model, it is essential that the limitations of the models are carefully taken into account when making interpretations. Here we use the available crystal structures of members of the glutamate transporter family to illustrate the importance of inspecting the data that underlie the structural models. Crystal structures of glutamate transporters in multiple different conformations have been solved, but most structures were determined at relatively low resolution, with deposited models based on crystallographic data of moderate quality. We use these examples to demonstrate the extent to which mechanistic interpretations can be made safely.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Arkhipova
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Albert Guskov
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Dirk-Jan Slotboom
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Gmeiner C, Klose D, Mileo E, Belle V, Marque SRA, Dorn G, Allain FHT, Guigliarelli B, Jeschke G, Yulikov M. Orthogonal Tyrosine and Cysteine Site-Directed Spin Labeling for Dipolar Pulse EPR Spectroscopy on Proteins. J Phys Chem Lett 2017; 8:4852-4857. [PMID: 28933855 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b02220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Site-directed spin labeling of native tyrosine residues in isolated domains of the protein PTBP1, using a Mannich-type reaction, was combined with conventional spin labeling of cysteine residues. Double electron-electron resonance (DEER) EPR measurements were performed for both the nitroxide-nitroxide and Gd(III)-nitroxide label combinations within the same protein molecule. For the prediction of distance distributions from a structure model, rotamer libraries were generated for the two linker forms of the tyrosine-reactive isoindoline-based nitroxide radical Nox. Only moderate differences exist between the spatial spin distributions for the two linker forms of Nox. This strongly simplifies DEER data analysis, in particular, if only mean distances need to be predicted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Gmeiner
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich , Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Klose
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich , Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Mileo
- Aix Marseille Univ , CNRS, BIP, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, Marseille 13402, France
| | - Valérie Belle
- Aix Marseille Univ , CNRS, BIP, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, Marseille 13402, France
| | - Sylvain R A Marque
- Aix Marseille Univ , CNRS, ICR, Institut de Chimie Radicalaire, Marseille 13397, France
- N. N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Insititute of Organic Chemistry , 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Georg Dorn
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich , Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric H T Allain
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich , Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Guigliarelli
- Aix Marseille Univ , CNRS, BIP, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, Marseille 13402, France
| | - Gunnar Jeschke
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich , Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Maxim Yulikov
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich , Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Seeger MA. Membrane transporter research in times of countless structures. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:804-808. [PMID: 28867210 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Structural biology has advanced our understanding of membrane proteins like no other scientific discipline in the past two decades and the number of high resolution membrane transporter structures solved by X-ray crystallography has increased exponentially over this time period. Currently, single particle cryo-EM is in full swing due to a recent resolution revolution and permits for structural insights of proteins that were refractory to crystallization. It is foreseeable that multiple structures of many human transporters will be solved in the coming five years. Nevertheless, many scientifically important questions remain unanswered despite of available structures, as is illustrated in this article at the example of multidrug efflux pumps and ABC transporters. Structure-function studies likely continue to be a supporting pillar of membrane transporter research. However, there is a trend towards the "integrated structural biologist", whose research focusses on a biological question and who closely collaborates with other research groups specialized in spectroscopy techniques or molecular dynamics simulation. Future membrane protein research requires joint efforts from specialists of various disciplines to finally work towards a molecular understanding of membrane transport in the context of the living cell. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Beyond the Structure-Function Horizon of Membrane Proteins edited by Ute Hellmich, Rupak Doshi and Benjamin McIlwain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markus A Seeger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Carrington B, Myers WK, Horanyi P, Calmiano M, Lawson ADG. Natural Conformational Sampling of Human TNFα Visualized by Double Electron-Electron Resonance. Biophys J 2017; 113:371-380. [PMID: 28746848 PMCID: PMC5529296 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Double electron-electron resonance in conjunction with site-directed spin labeling has been used to probe natural conformational sampling of the human tumor necrosis factor α trimer. We suggest a previously unreported, predeoligomerization conformation of the trimer that has been shown to be sampled at low frequency. A model of this trimeric state has been constructed based on crystal structures using the double-electron-electron-resonance distances. The model shows one of the protomers to be rotated and tilted outward at the tip end, leading to a breaking of the trimerous symmetry and distortion at a receptor-binding interface. The new structure offers opportunities to modulate the biological activity of tumor necrosis factor α through stabilization of the distorted trimer with small molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - William K Myers
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Pliotas C. Ion Channel Conformation and Oligomerization Assessment by Site-Directed Spin Labeling and Pulsed-EPR. Methods Enzymol 2017; 594:203-242. [PMID: 28779841 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2017.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels are multimeric integral membrane proteins that respond to increased lipid bilayer tension by opening their nonselective pores to release solutes and relieve increased cytoplasmic pressure. These systems undergo major conformational changes during gating and the elucidation of their mechanism requires a deep understanding of the interplay between lipids and proteins. Lipids are responsible for transmitting lateral tension to MS channels and therefore play a key role in obtaining a molecular-detail model for mechanosensation. Site-directed spin labeling combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a powerful spectroscopic tool in the study of proteins. The main bottleneck for its use relates to challenges associated with successful isolation of the protein of interest, introduction of paramagnetic labels on desired sites, and access to specialized instrumentation and expertise. The design of sophisticated experiments, which combine a variety of existing EPR methodologies to address a diversity of specific questions, require knowledge of the limitations and strengths, characteristic of each particular EPR method. This chapter is using the MS ion channels as paradigms and focuses on the application of different EPR techniques to ion channels, in order to investigate oligomerization, conformation, and the effect of lipids on their regulation. The methodology we followed, from the initial strategic selection of mutants and sample preparation, including protein purification, spin labeling, reconstitution into lipid mimics to the complete set-up of the pulsed-EPR experiments, is described in detail.
Collapse
|
40
|
Glaenzer J, Peter MF, Thomas GH, Hagelueken G. PELDOR Spectroscopy Reveals Two Defined States of a Sialic Acid TRAP Transporter SBP in Solution. Biophys J 2017; 112:109-120. [PMID: 28076802 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporters are a widespread class of membrane transporters in bacteria and archaea. Typical substrates for TRAP transporters are organic acids including the sialic acid N-acetylneuraminic acid. The substrate binding proteins (SBP) of TRAP transporters are the best studied component and are responsible for initial high-affinity substrate binding. To better understand the dynamics of the ligand binding process, pulsed electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR, also known as DEER) spectroscopy was applied to study the conformational changes in the N-acetylneuraminic acid-specific SBP VcSiaP. The protein is the SBP of VcSiaPQM, a sialic acid TRAP transporter from Vibrio cholerae. Spin-labeled double-cysteine mutants of VcSiaP were analyzed in the substrate-bound and -free state and the measured distances were compared to available crystal structures. The data were compatible with two clear states only, which are consistent with the open and closed forms seen in TRAP SBP crystal structures. Substrate titration experiments demonstrated the transition of the population from one state to the other with no other observed forms. Mutants of key residues involved in ligand binding and/or proposed to be involved in domain closure were produced and the corresponding PELDOR experiments reveal important insights into the open-closed transition. The results are in excellent agreement with previous in vivo sialylation experiments. The structure of the spin-labeled Q54R1/L173R1 R125A mutant was solved at 2.1 Å resolution, revealing no significant changes in the protein structure. Thus, the loss of domain closure appears to be solely due to loss of binding. In conclusion, these data are consistent with TRAP SBPs undergoing a simple two-state transition from an open-unliganded to closed-liganded state during the transport cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janin Glaenzer
- Institute for Physical & Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin F Peter
- Institute for Physical & Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Gregor Hagelueken
- Institute for Physical & Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Glutamate transporters are responsible for uptake of the neurotransmitter glutamate in mammalian central nervous systems. Their archaeal homologue GltPh, an aspartate transporter isolated from Pyrococcus horikoshii, has been the focus of extensive studies through crystallography, MD simulations and single-molecule FRET (smFRET). Here, we summarize the recent research progress on GltPh, in the hope of gaining some insights into the transport mechanism of this aspartate transporter.
Collapse
|
42
|
Cheng MH, Torres-Salazar D, Gonzalez-Suarez AD, Amara SG, Bahar I. Substrate transport and anion permeation proceed through distinct pathways in glutamate transporters. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28569666 PMCID: PMC5472439 DOI: 10.7554/elife.25850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in structure-function analyses and computational biology have enabled a deeper understanding of how excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) mediate chloride permeation and substrate transport. However, the mechanism of structural coupling between these functions remains to be established. Using a combination of molecular modeling, substituted cysteine accessibility, electrophysiology and glutamate uptake assays, we identified a chloride-channeling conformer, iChS, transiently accessible as EAAT1 reconfigures from substrate/ion-loaded into a substrate-releasing conformer. Opening of the anion permeation path in this iChS is controlled by the elevator-like movement of the substrate-binding core, along with its wall that simultaneously lines the anion permeation path (global); and repacking of a cluster of hydrophobic residues near the extracellular vestibule (local). Moreover, our results demonstrate that stabilization of iChS by chemical modifications favors anion channeling at the expense of substrate transport, suggesting a mutually exclusive regulation mediated by the movement of the flexible wall lining the two regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Hongying Cheng
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Delany Torres-Salazar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Aneysis D Gonzalez-Suarez
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Susan G Amara
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Ivet Bahar
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
The Synergetic Effects of Combining Structural Biology and EPR Spectroscopy on Membrane Proteins. CRYSTALS 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst7040117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein structures as provided by structural biology such as X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy and NMR spectroscopy are key elements to understand the function of a protein on the molecular level. Nonetheless, they might be error-prone due to crystallization artifacts or, in particular in case of membrane-imbedded proteins, a mostly artificial environment. In this review, we will introduce different EPR spectroscopy methods as powerful tools to complement and validate structural data gaining insights in the dynamics of proteins and protein complexes such that functional cycles can be derived. We will highlight the use of EPR spectroscopy on membrane-embedded proteins and protein complexes ranging from receptors to secondary active transporters as structural information is still limited in this field and the lipid environment is a particular challenge.
Collapse
|
44
|
Visualizing multistep elevator-like transitions of a nucleoside transporter. Nature 2017; 545:66-70. [PMID: 28424521 PMCID: PMC5567992 DOI: 10.1038/nature22057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Membrane transporters move substrates across the membrane by alternating access of their binding sites between the opposite sides of the membrane. An emerging model of this process is the elevator mechanism, in which a substrate-binding transport domain moves a large distance across the membrane. This mechanism has been characterized by a transition between two states, but the conformational path that leads to the transition is not yet known, largely because the available structural information has been limited to the two end states. Here we present crystal structures of the inward-facing, intermediate, and outward-facing states of a concentrative nucleoside transporter from Neisseria wadsworthii. Notably, we determined the structures of multiple intermediate conformations, in which the transport domain is captured halfway through its elevator motion. Our structures present a trajectory of the conformational transition in the elevator model, revealing multiple intermediate steps and state-dependent conformational changes within the transport domain that are associated with the elevator-like motion.
Collapse
|
45
|
Direct visualization of glutamate transporter elevator mechanism by high-speed AFM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:1584-1588. [PMID: 28137870 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1616413114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate transporters are essential for recovery of the neurotransmitter glutamate from the synaptic cleft. Crystal structures in the outward- and inward-facing conformations of a glutamate transporter homolog from archaebacterium Pyrococcus horikoshii, sodium/aspartate symporter GltPh, suggested the molecular basis of the transporter cycle. However, dynamic studies of the transport mechanism have been sparse and indirect. Here we present high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) observations of membrane-reconstituted GltPh at work. HS-AFM movies provide unprecedented real-space and real-time visualization of the transport dynamics. Our results show transport mediated by large amplitude 1.85-nm "elevator" movements of the transport domains consistent with previous crystallographic and spectroscopic studies. Elevator dynamics occur in the absence and presence of sodium ions and aspartate, but stall in sodium alone, providing a direct visualization of the ion and substrate symport mechanism. We show unambiguously that individual protomers within the trimeric transporter function fully independently.
Collapse
|
46
|
Naoe Y, Nakamura N, Doi A, Sawabe M, Nakamura H, Shiro Y, Sugimoto H. Crystal structure of bacterial haem importer complex in the inward-facing conformation. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13411. [PMID: 27830695 PMCID: PMC5136619 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria remove iron from the haem of host tissues and use it as a catalytic center of many enzymes. Haem uptake by pathogenic bacteria is facilitated by the membrane-integrated haem importer, which belongs to the type II ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter. Here we present crystal structures of Burkholderia cenocepacia haem importer BhuUV complexed with the periplasmic haem-binding protein BhuT and in the absence of BhuT. The transmembrane helices of these structures show an inward-facing conformation, in which the cytoplasmic gate of the haem translocation pathway is completely open. Since this conformation is found in both the haem- and nucleotide-free form, the structure of BhuUV-T provides the post-translocation state and the missing piece in the transport cycle of the type II importer. Structural comparison with the outward-facing conformation reported for the haem importer ortholog HmuUV from Yersenia pestis gives mechanistic insights into conformational transitions and haem secretion during the haem transport cycle. Pathogenic bacteria acquire iron from heme cofactors imported by ABC heme transporters. Here the authors present crystal structures of Burkholderia cenocepacia heme importer BhuUV with and without the heme-binding protein BhuT, gathering mechanistic insight into the catalytic cycle of heme import.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youichi Naoe
- Biometal Science Laboratory, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Nozomi Nakamura
- Biometal Science Laboratory, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan.,Department of Life Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Kouto, Kamigohri, Akoh, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Akihiro Doi
- Biometal Science Laboratory, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Mia Sawabe
- Department of Life Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Kouto, Kamigohri, Akoh, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Hiro Nakamura
- Biometal Science Laboratory, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Shiro
- Biometal Science Laboratory, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan.,Department of Life Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Kouto, Kamigohri, Akoh, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugimoto
- Biometal Science Laboratory, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan.,Department of Life Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Kouto, Kamigohri, Akoh, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Membrane transporters studied by EPR spectroscopy: structure determination and elucidation of functional dynamics. Biochem Soc Trans 2016; 44:905-15. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20160024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During their mechanistic cycles membrane transporters often undergo extensive conformational changes, sampling a range of orientations, in order to complete their function. Such membrane transporters present somewhat of a challenge to conventional structural studies; indeed, crystallization of membrane-associated proteins sometimes require conditions that vary vastly from their native environments. Moreover, this technique currently only allows for visualization of single selected conformations during any one experiment. EPR spectroscopy is a magnetic resonance technique that offers a unique opportunity to study structural, environmental and dynamic properties of such proteins in their native membrane environments, as well as readily sampling their substrate-binding-induced dynamic conformational changes especially through complementary computational analyses. Here we present a review of recent studies that utilize a variety of EPR techniques in order to investigate both the structure and dynamics of a range of membrane transporters and associated proteins, focusing on both primary (ABC-type transporters) and secondary active transporters which were key interest areas of the late Professor Stephen Baldwin to whom this review is dedicated.
Collapse
|
48
|
Affiliation(s)
- David Drew
- Centre for Biomembrane Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Olga Boudker
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065;
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
LeVine MV, Cuendet MA, Khelashvili G, Weinstein H. Allosteric Mechanisms of Molecular Machines at the Membrane: Transport by Sodium-Coupled Symporters. Chem Rev 2016; 116:6552-87. [PMID: 26892914 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Solute transport across cell membranes is ubiquitous in biology as an essential physiological process. Secondary active transporters couple the unfavorable process of solute transport against its concentration gradient to the energetically favorable transport of one or several ions. The study of such transporters over several decades indicates that their function involves complex allosteric mechanisms that are progressively being revealed in atomistic detail. We focus on two well-characterized sodium-coupled symporters: the bacterial amino acid transporter LeuT, which is the prototype for the "gated pore" mechanism in the mammalian synaptic monoamine transporters, and the archaeal GltPh, which is the prototype for the "elevator" mechanism in the mammalian excitatory amino acid transporters. We present the evidence for the role of allostery in the context of a quantitative formalism that can reconcile biochemical and biophysical data and thereby connects directly to recent insights into the molecular structure and dynamics of these proteins. We demonstrate that, while the structures and mechanisms of these transporters are very different, the available data suggest a common role of specific models of allostery in their functions. We argue that such allosteric mechanisms appear essential not only for sodium-coupled symport in general but also for the function of other types of molecular machines in the membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael V LeVine
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, ‡HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University , New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Michel A Cuendet
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, ‡HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University , New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - George Khelashvili
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, ‡HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University , New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Harel Weinstein
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, ‡HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University , New York, New York 10065, United States
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
Interaction of multiple ligands with a protein or protein complex is a widespread phenomenon that allows for cooperativity. Here, we review the use of the Hill equation, which is commonly used to analyze binding or kinetic data, to analyze the kinetics of ion-coupled transporters and show how the mechanism of transport affects the Hill coefficient. Importantly, the Hill analysis of ion-coupled transporters can provide the exact number of transported co-ions, regardless of the extent of the cooperativity in ion binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juke S Lolkema
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Department of Membrane Enzymology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Dirk-Jan Slotboom
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Department of Membrane Enzymology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|