1
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Leonard AC, Friedman AJ, Chayer R, Petersen BM, Woojuh J, Xing Z, Cutler SR, Kaar JL, Shirts MR, Whitehead TA. Rationalizing Diverse Binding Mechanisms to the Same Protein Fold: Insights for Ligand Recognition and Biosensor Design. ACS Chem Biol 2024. [PMID: 39017707 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
The engineering of novel protein-ligand binding interactions, particularly for complex drug-like molecules, is an unsolved problem, which could enable many practical applications of protein biosensors. In this work, we analyzed two engineered biosensors, derived from the plant hormone sensor PYR1, to recognize either the agrochemical mandipropamid or the synthetic cannabinoid WIN55,212-2. Using a combination of quantitative deep mutational scanning experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrated that mutations at common positions can promote protein-ligand shape complementarity and revealed prominent differences in the electrostatic networks needed to complement diverse ligands. MD simulations indicate that both PYR1 protein-ligand complexes bind a single conformer of their target ligand that is close to the lowest free-energy conformer. Computational design using a fixed conformer and rigid body orientation led to new WIN55,212-2 sensors with nanomolar limits of detection. This work reveals mechanisms by which the versatile PYR1 biosensor scaffold can bind diverse ligands. This work also provides computational methods to sample realistic ligand conformers and rigid body alignments that simplify the computational design of biosensors for novel ligands of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison C Leonard
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
| | - Anika J Friedman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
| | - Rachel Chayer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
| | - Brian M Petersen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
| | - Janty Woojuh
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-9800, United States
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Center for Plant Cell Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Zenan Xing
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-9800, United States
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Center for Plant Cell Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Sean R Cutler
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-9800, United States
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Center for Plant Cell Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Joel L Kaar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
| | - Michael R Shirts
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
| | - Timothy A Whitehead
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
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2
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Effiong UM, Khairandish H, Ramirez-Velez I, Wang Y, Belardi B. Turn-on protein switches for controlling actin binding in cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5840. [PMID: 38992021 PMCID: PMC11239668 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49934-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Within a shared cytoplasm, filamentous actin (F-actin) plays numerous and critical roles across the cell body. Cells rely on actin-binding proteins (ABPs) to organize F-actin and to integrate its polymeric characteristics into diverse cellular processes. Yet, the multitude of ABPs that engage with and shape F-actin make studying a single ABP's influence on cellular activities a significant challenge. Moreover, without a means of manipulating actin-binding subcellularly, harnessing the F-actin cytoskeleton for synthetic biology purposes remains elusive. Here, we describe a suite of designed proteins, Controllable Actin-binding Switch Tools (CASTs), whose actin-binding behavior can be controlled with external stimuli. CASTs were developed that respond to different external inputs, providing options for turn-on kinetics and enabling orthogonality and multiplexing. Being genetically encoded, we show that CASTs can be inserted into native protein sequences to control F-actin association locally and engineered into structures to control cell and tissue shape and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unyime M Effiong
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Hannah Khairandish
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Isabela Ramirez-Velez
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Yanran Wang
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Brian Belardi
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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3
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Shui S, Scheller L, Correia BE. Protein-based bandpass filters for controlling cellular signaling with chemical inputs. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:586-593. [PMID: 37957273 PMCID: PMC11062894 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01463-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Biological signal processing is vital for cellular function. Similar to electronic circuits, cells process signals via integrated mechanisms. In electronics, bandpass filters transmit frequencies with defined ranges, but protein-based counterparts for controlled responses are lacking in engineered biological systems. Here, we rationally design protein-based, chemically responsive bandpass filters (CBPs) showing OFF-ON-OFF patterns that respond to chemical concentrations within a specific range and reject concentrations outside that range. Employing structure-based strategies, we designed a heterodimeric construct that dimerizes in response to low concentrations of a small molecule (ON), and dissociates at high concentrations of the same molecule (OFF). The CBPs have a multidomain architecture in which we used known drug receptors, a computationally designed protein binder and small-molecule inhibitors. This modular system allows fine-tuning for optimal performance in terms of bandwidth, response, cutoff and fold changes. The CBPs were used to regulate cell surface receptor signaling pathways to control cellular activities in engineered cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sailan Shui
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering (LPDI)-STI-EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Leo Scheller
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering (LPDI)-STI-EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno E Correia
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering (LPDI)-STI-EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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4
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Kortemme T. De novo protein design-From new structures to programmable functions. Cell 2024; 187:526-544. [PMID: 38306980 PMCID: PMC10990048 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Methods from artificial intelligence (AI) trained on large datasets of sequences and structures can now "write" proteins with new shapes and molecular functions de novo, without starting from proteins found in nature. In this Perspective, I will discuss the state of the field of de novo protein design at the juncture of physics-based modeling approaches and AI. New protein folds and higher-order assemblies can be designed with considerable experimental success rates, and difficult problems requiring tunable control over protein conformations and precise shape complementarity for molecular recognition are coming into reach. Emerging approaches incorporate engineering principles-tunability, controllability, and modularity-into the design process from the beginning. Exciting frontiers lie in deconstructing cellular functions with de novo proteins and, conversely, constructing synthetic cellular signaling from the ground up. As methods improve, many more challenges are unsolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Kortemme
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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5
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Gebhardt CM, Niopek D. Anti-CRISPR Proteins and Their Application to Control CRISPR Effectors in Mammalian Systems. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2774:205-231. [PMID: 38441767 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3718-0_14] [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] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas effectors are powerful tools for genome and transcriptome targeting and editing. Naturally, these protein-RNA complexes are part of the microbial innate immune system, which emerged from the evolutionary arms race between microbes and phages. This coevolution has also given rise to so-called anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins that counteract the CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity. Acrs constitutively block cognate CRISPR-Cas effectors, e.g., by interfering with guide RNA binding, target DNA/RNA recognition, or target cleavage. In addition to their important role in microbiology and evolution, Acrs have recently gained particular attention for being useful tools and switches to regulate or fine-tune the activity of CRISPR-Cas effectors. Due to their commonly small size, high inhibition potency, and structural and mechanistic versatility, Acrs offer a wide range of potential applications for controlling CRISPR effectors in heterologous systems, including mammalian cells.Here, we review the diverse applications of Acrs in mammalian cells and organisms and discuss the underlying engineering strategies. These applications include (i) persistent blockage of CRISPR-Cas function to create write-protected cells, (ii) reduction of CRISPR-Cas off-target editing, (iii) focusing CRISPR-Cas activity to specific cell types and tissues, (iv) spatiotemporal control of CRISPR effectors based on engineered, opto-, or chemogenetic Acrs, and (v) the use of Acrs for selective binding and detection of CRISPR-Cas effectors in complex samples. We will also highlight potential future applications of Acrs in a biomedical context and point out present challenges that need to be overcome on the way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Maja Gebhardt
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Dominik Niopek
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology (IPMB), Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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6
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Effiong UM, Khairandish H, Ramirez-Velez I, Wang Y, Belardi B. Turn-On Protein Switches for Controlling Actin Binding in Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.26.561921. [PMID: 37961502 PMCID: PMC10634840 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.26.561921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Within a shared cytoplasm, filamentous actin (F-actin) plays numerous and critical roles across the cell body. Cells rely on actin-binding proteins (ABPs) to organize F-actin and to integrate its polymeric characteristics into diverse cellular processes. Yet, the multitude of ABPs that engage with and shape F-actin make studying a single ABP's influence on cellular activities a significant challenge. Moreover, without a means of manipulating actin-binding subcellularly, harnessing the F-actin cytoskeleton for synthetic biology purposes remains elusive. Here, we describe a suite of designed proteins, Controllable Actin-binding Switch Tools (CASTs), whose actin-binding behavior can be controlled with external stimuli. CASTs were developed that respond to different external inputs, providing options for turn-on kinetics and enabling orthogonality. Being genetically encoded, we show that CASTs can be inserted into native protein sequences to control F-actin association locally and engineered into new structures to control cell and tissue shape and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unyime M. Effiong
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Hannah Khairandish
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Isabela Ramirez-Velez
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Yanran Wang
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Brian Belardi
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
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7
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Zhang L, Liu H. Exploring binding positions and backbone conformations of peptide ligands of proteins with a backbone-centred statistical energy function. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2023; 37:463-478. [PMID: 37498491 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-023-00518-0] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
When designing peptide ligands based on the structure of a protein receptor, it can be very useful to narrow down the possible binding positions and bound conformations of the ligand without the need to choose its amino acid sequence in advance. Here, we construct and benchmark a tool for this purpose based on a recently reported statistical energy model named SCUBA (Sidechain-Unknown Backbone Arrangement) for designing protein backbones without considering specific amino acid sequences. With this tool, backbone fragments of different local conformation types are generated and optimized with SCUBA-driven stochastic simulations and simulated annealing, and then ranked and clustered to obtain representative backbone fragment poses of strong SCUBA interaction energies with the receptor. We computationally benchmarked the tool on 111 known protein-peptide complex structures. When the bound ligands are in the strand conformation, the method is able to generate backbone fragments of both low SCUBA energies and low root mean square deviations from experimental structures of peptide ligands. When the bound ligands are helices or coils, low-energy backbone fragments with binding poses similar to experimental structures have been generated for approximately 50% of benchmark cases. We have examined a number of predicted ligand-receptor complexes by atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, in which the peptide ligands have been found to stay at the predicted binding sites and to maintain their local conformations. These results suggest that promising backbone structures of peptides bound to protein receptors can be designed by identifying outstanding minima on the SCUBA-modeled backbone energy landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China
| | - Haiyan Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China.
- School of Data Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China.
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8
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Shui S, Buckley S, Scheller L, Correia BE. Rational design of small-molecule responsive protein switches. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4774. [PMID: 37656809 PMCID: PMC10510469 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Small-molecule responsive protein switches are powerful tools for controlling cellular processes. These switches are designed to respond rapidly and specifically to their inducer. They have been used in numerous applications, including the regulation of gene expression, post-translational protein modification, and signal transduction. Typically, small-molecule responsive protein switches consist of two proteins that interact with each other in the presence or absence of a small molecule. Recent advances in computational protein design already contributed to the development of protein switches with an expanded range of small-molecule inducers and increasingly sophisticated switch mechanisms. Further progress in the engineering of small-molecule responsive switches is fueled by cutting-edge computational design approaches, which will enable more complex and precise control over cellular processes and advance synthetic biology applications in biotechnology and medicine. Here, we discuss recent milestones and how technological advances are impacting the development of chemical switches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sailan Shui
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering (LPDI)STI, EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Stephen Buckley
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering (LPDI)STI, EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Leo Scheller
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering (LPDI)STI, EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Bruno E. Correia
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering (LPDI)STI, EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB)LausanneSwitzerland
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9
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Marchand A, Bonati L, Shui S, Scheller L, Gainza P, Rosset S, Georgeon S, Tang L, Correia BE. Rational Design of Chemically Controlled Antibodies and Protein Therapeutics. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:1259-1265. [PMID: 37252896 PMCID: PMC10278067 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies and cytokines, are important therapies for various pathophysiological conditions such as oncology, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections. However, the wide application of such protein therapeutics is often hindered by dose-limiting toxicities and adverse effects, namely, cytokine storm syndrome, organ failure, and others. Therefore, spatiotemporal control of the activities of these proteins is crucial to further expand their application. Here, we report the design and application of small-molecule-controlled switchable protein therapeutics by taking advantage of a previously engineered OFF-switch system. We used the Rosetta modeling suite to computationally optimize the affinity between B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein and a previously developed computationally designed protein partner (LD3) to obtain a fast and efficient heterodimer disruption upon the addition of a competing drug (Venetoclax). The incorporation of the engineered OFF-switch system into anti-CTLA4, anti-HER2 antibodies, or an Fc-fused IL-15 cytokine demonstrated an efficient disruption in vitro, as well as fast clearance in vivo upon the addition of the competing drug Venetoclax. These results provide a proof-of-concept for the rational design of controllable biologics by introducing a drug-induced OFF-switch into existing protein-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Marchand
- Laboratory
of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Bonati
- Laboratory
of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Laboratory
of Biomaterials for Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sailan Shui
- Laboratory
of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Leo Scheller
- Laboratory
of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Gainza
- Laboratory
of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Rosset
- Laboratory
of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sandrine Georgeon
- Laboratory
of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Li Tang
- Laboratory
of Biomaterials for Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno E. Correia
- Laboratory
of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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10
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Di Rienzo L, Miotto M, Milanetti E, Ruocco G. Computational structural-based GPCR optimization for user-defined ligand: Implications for the development of biosensors. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:3002-3009. [PMID: 37249971 PMCID: PMC10220229 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Organisms have developed effective mechanisms to sense the external environment. Human-designed biosensors exploit this natural optimization, where different biological machinery have been adapted to detect the presence of user-defined molecules. Specifically, the pheromone pathway in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae represents a suitable candidate as a synthetic signaling system. Indeed, it expresses just one G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR), Ste2, able to recognize pheromone and initiate the expression of pheromone-dependent genes. To date, the standard procedure to engineer this system relies on the substitution of the yeast GPCR with another one and on the modification of the yeast G-protein to bind the inserted receptor. Here, we propose an innovative computational procedure, based on geometrical and chemical optimization of protein binding pockets, to select the amino acid substitutions required to make the native yeast GPCR able to recognize a user-defined ligand. This procedure would allow the yeast to recognize a wide range of ligands, without a-priori knowledge about a GPCR recognizing them or the corresponding G protein. We used Monte Carlo simulations to design on Ste2 a binding pocket able to recognize epinephrine, selected as a test ligand. We validated Ste2 mutants via molecular docking and molecular dynamics. We verified that the amino acid substitutions we identified make Ste2 able to accommodate and remain firmly bound to epinephrine. Our results indicate that we sampled efficiently the huge space of possible mutants, proposing such a strategy as a promising starting point for the development of a new kind of S.cerevisiae-based biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Di Rienzo
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Miotto
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Milanetti
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ruocco
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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11
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Ma D, Yuan Q, Peng F, Paredes V, Zeng H, Yang Q, Peddi A, Patel A, Liu MS, Sun Z, Gao X. Engineered PROTAC-CID Systems for Mammalian Inducible Gene Regulation. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:1593-1606. [PMID: 36626587 PMCID: PMC10162582 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Gene regulation via chemically induced dimerization (CID) is useful for biomedical research. However, the number, type, versatility, and in vivo applications of CID tools remain limited. Here, we demonstrate the development of proteolysis-targeting chimera-based scalable CID (PROTAC-CID) platforms by systematically engineering the available PROTAC systems for inducible gene regulation and gene editing. Further, we show orthogonal PROTAC-CIDs that can fine-tune gene expression at gradient levels or multiplex biological signals with different logic gating operations. Coupling the PROTAC-CID platform with genetic circuits, we achieve digitally inducible expression of DNA recombinases, base- and prime-editors for transient genome manipulation. Finally, we package a compact PROTAC-CID system into adeno-associated viral vectors for inducible and reversible gene activation in vivo. This work provides a versatile molecular toolbox that expands the scope of chemically inducible gene regulation in human cells and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dacheng Ma
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Qichen Yuan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Fei Peng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Victor Paredes
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Hongzhi Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Qiaochu Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Advaith Peddi
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Anika Patel
- Department of Computer Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Megan S. Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Zheng Sun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Xue Gao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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12
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Beltrán J, Steiner PJ, Bedewitz M, Wei S, Peterson FC, Li Z, Hughes BE, Hartley Z, Robertson NR, Medina-Cucurella AV, Baumer ZT, Leonard AC, Park SY, Volkman BF, Nusinow DA, Zhong W, Wheeldon I, Cutler SR, Whitehead TA. Rapid biosensor development using plant hormone receptors as reprogrammable scaffolds. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1855-1861. [PMID: 35726092 PMCID: PMC9750858 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01364-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
A general method to generate biosensors for user-defined molecules could provide detection tools for a wide range of biological applications. Here, we describe an approach for the rapid engineering of biosensors using PYR1 (Pyrabactin Resistance 1), a plant abscisic acid (ABA) receptor with a malleable ligand-binding pocket and a requirement for ligand-induced heterodimerization, which facilitates the construction of sense-response functions. We applied this platform to evolve 21 sensors with nanomolar to micromolar sensitivities for a range of small molecules, including structurally diverse natural and synthetic cannabinoids and several organophosphates. X-ray crystallography analysis revealed the mechanistic basis for new ligand recognition by an evolved cannabinoid receptor. We demonstrate that PYR1-derived receptors are readily ported to various ligand-responsive outputs, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-like assays, luminescence by protein-fragment complementation and transcriptional circuits, all with picomolar to nanomolar sensitivity. PYR1 provides a scaffold for rapidly evolving new biosensors for diverse sense-response applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Beltrán
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Paul J Steiner
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Matthew Bedewitz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Shuang Wei
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Francis C Peterson
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Zongbo Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Brigid E Hughes
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Zachary Hartley
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas R Robertson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, USA
| | | | - Zachary T Baumer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Alison C Leonard
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Sang-Youl Park
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Brian F Volkman
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | - Wenwan Zhong
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Ian Wheeldon
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Sean R Cutler
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Center for Plant Cell Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Timothy A Whitehead
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
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13
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Li R, Chen S, Li Y, Chen X, Ye BC. Development of a "Turn off-on" whole-cell biosensor for sulforaphane detection based on the ultrasensitive activator HrpRS. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2022; 70:798-810. [PMID: 36070874 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Sulforaphane (SFN), a defense secondary metabolite, can be used to predict the health status of plants and also has pharmacological effects, including anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The detection of SFN is therefore of great significance for the prevention and treatment of diseases. In this study, a "Turn off" whole-cell biosensor that can rapidly and robustly respond to the presence of SFN was constructed based on the orthogonal genetic components (hrpR, hrpS, and PhrpL ) of Pseudomonas syringae (PS). The final optimized biosensor, p114(30R-30S), was able to inhibit 91.7% of the fluorescence intensity in the presence of 100-μM SFN. Subsequently, a HrpRS-regulated OFF-ON genetic switch was designed by reconstituting a reverse σ70 promoter on the σ54 -PhrpL promoter sequence; this was coupled with dual-color reporter genes to construct a "Turn off-on" whole-cell SFN biosensor. The PhrpLB variant increased the expression of green fluorescence a factor of 11.9 and reduced the expression of red fluorescence by 85.8% compared with the system in the absence of SFN. Thus, a robust switching of signal output from "turn off" to "turn on" was realized. In addition, the biosensor showed good linearity in the SFN concentration ranges of 0.1-10 μM (R2 = 0.99429) and 10-100 μM (R2 = 0.99465) and a detection limit of ⁓0.1 μM. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China
| | - Shengyan Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China
| | - Yangguang Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China
| | - Xuan Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China
| | - Bang-Ce Ye
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China.,Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China.,Lab of Biosystem and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
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14
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Marchand A, Van Hall-Beauvais AK, Correia BE. Computational design of novel protein–protein interactions – An overview on methodological approaches and applications. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 74:102370. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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15
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ElGamacy M. Accelerating therapeutic protein design. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2022; 130:85-118. [PMID: 35534117 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Protein structures provide for defined microenvironments that can support complex pharmacological functions, otherwise unachievable by small molecules. The advent of therapeutic proteins has thus greatly broadened the range of manageable disorders. Leveraging the knowledge and recent advances in de novo protein design methods has the prospect of revolutionizing how protein drugs are discovered and developed. This review lays out the main challenges facing therapeutic proteins discovery and development, and how present and future advancements of protein design can accelerate the protein drug pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad ElGamacy
- University Hospital Tübingen, Division of Translational Oncology, Tübingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany.
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16
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John AM, Sekhon H, Ha JH, Loh SN. Engineering a Fluorescent Protein Color Switch Using Entropy-Driven β-Strand Exchange. ACS Sens 2022; 7:263-271. [PMID: 35006676 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c02239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Protein conformational switches are widely used in biosensing. They are often composed of an input domain (which binds a target ligand) fused to an output domain (which generates an optical readout). A central challenge in designing such switches is to develop mechanisms for coupling the input and output signals via conformational changes. Here, we create a biosensor in which binding-induced folding of the input domain drives a conformational shift in the output domain that results in a sixfold green-to-yellow ratiometric fluorescence change in vitro and a 35-fold intensiometric fluorescence increase in cultured cells. The input domain consists of circularly permuted FK506 binding protein (cpFKBP) that folds upon binding its target ligand (FK506 or rapamycin). cpFKBP folding induces the output domain, an engineered green fluorescent protein (GFP) variant, to replace one of its β-strands (containing T203 and specifying green fluorescence) with a duplicate β-strand (containing Y203 and specifying yellow fluorescence) in an intramolecular exchange reaction. This mechanism employs the loop-closure entropy principle, embodied by the folding of the partially disordered cpFKBP domain, to couple ligand binding to the GFP color shift. This study highlights the high-energy barriers present in GFP folding which cause β-strand exchange to be slow and are also likely responsible for the shift from the β-strand exchange mechanism in vitro to ligand-induced chromophore maturation in cells. The proof-of-concept design has the advantages of full genetic encodability and potential for modularity. The latter attribute is enabled by the natural coupling of binding and folding and circular permutation of the input domain, which theoretically allows different binding domains to be compatible for insertion into the GFP surface loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Miriam John
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Harsimranjit Sekhon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Jeung-Hoi Ha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Stewart N Loh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
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17
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Naudin EA, Albanese KI, Smith AJ, Mylemans B, Baker EG, Weiner OD, Andrews DM, Tigue N, Savery NJ, Woolfson DN. From peptides to proteins: coiled-coil tetramers to single-chain 4-helix bundles. Chem Sci 2022; 13:11330-11340. [PMID: 36320580 PMCID: PMC9533478 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04479j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of completely synthetic proteins from first principles—de novo protein design—is challenging. This is because, despite recent advances in computational protein–structure prediction and design, we do not understand fully the sequence-to-structure relationships for protein folding, assembly, and stabilization. Antiparallel 4-helix bundles are amongst the most studied scaffolds for de novo protein design. We set out to re-examine this target, and to determine clear sequence-to-structure relationships, or design rules, for the structure. Our aim was to determine a common and robust sequence background for designing multiple de novo 4-helix bundles. In turn, this could be used in chemical and synthetic biology to direct protein–protein interactions and as scaffolds for functional protein design. Our approach starts by analyzing known antiparallel 4-helix coiled-coil structures to deduce design rules. In terms of the heptad repeat, abcdefg—i.e., the sequence signature of many helical bundles—the key features that we identify are: a = Leu, d = Ile, e = Ala, g = Gln, and the use of complementary charged residues at b and c. Next, we implement these rules in the rational design of synthetic peptides to form antiparallel homo- and heterotetramers. Finally, we use the sequence of the homotetramer to derive in one step a single-chain 4-helix-bundle protein for recombinant production in E. coli. All of the assembled designs are confirmed in aqueous solution using biophysical methods, and ultimately by determining high-resolution X-ray crystal structures. Our route from peptides to proteins provides an understanding of the role of each residue in each design. Rules for designing 4-helix bundles are defined, tested, and used to generate de novo peptide assemblies and a single-chain protein.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise A. Naudin
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Katherine I. Albanese
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Abigail J. Smith
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Bram Mylemans
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Emily G. Baker
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Orion D. Weiner
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - David M. Andrews
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge Science Park, Darwin Building, Cambridge CB4 0WG, UK
| | - Natalie Tigue
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Nigel J. Savery
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
- BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Derek N. Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
- BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
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18
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Héja L, Simon Á, Szabó Z, Kardos J. Connexons Coupling to Gap Junction Channel: Potential Role for Extracellular Protein Stabilization Centers. Biomolecules 2021; 12:biom12010049. [PMID: 35053197 PMCID: PMC8773650 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin (Cx) proteins establish intercellular gap junction channels (Cx GJCs) through coupling of two apposed hexameric Cx hemichannels (Cx HCs, connexons). Pre- and post-GJ interfaces consist of extracellular EL1 and EL2 loops, each with three conserved cysteines. Previously, we reported that known peptide inhibitors, mimicking a variety of Cx43 sequences, appear non-selective when binding to homomeric Cx43 vs. Cx36 GJC homology model subtypes. In pursuit of finding potentially Cx subtype-specific inhibitors of connexon-connexon coupling, we aimed at to understand better how the GJ interface is formed. Here we report on the discovery of Cx GJC subtype-specific protein stabilization centers (SCs) featuring GJ interface architecture. First, the Cx43 GJC homology model, embedded in two opposed membrane bilayers, has been devised. Next, we endorsed the fluctuation dynamics of SCs of the interface domain of Cx43 GJC by applying standard molecular dynamics under open and closed cystine disulfide bond (CS-SC) preconditions. The simulations confirmed the major role of the unique trans-GJ SC pattern comprising conserved (55N, 56T) and non-conserved (57Q) residues of the apposed EL1 loops in the stabilization of the GJC complex. Importantly, clusters of SC patterns residing close to the GJ interface domain appear to orient the interface formation via the numerous SCs between EL1 and EL2. These include central 54CS-S198C or 61CS-S192C contacts with residues 53R, 54C, 55N, 197D, 199F or 64V, 191P, respectively. In addition, we revealed that GJC interface formation is favoured when the psi dihedral angle of the nearby 193P residue is stable around 180° and the interface SCs disappear when this angle moves to the 0° to −45° range. The potential of the association of non-conserved residues with SC motifs in connexon-connexon coupling makes the development of Cx subtype-specific inhibitors viable.
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