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Akune-Taylor Y, Kon A, Aoki-Kinoshita KF. In silico simulation of glycosylation and related pathways. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:3687-3696. [PMID: 38748247 PMCID: PMC11180631 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05331-8] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Glycans participate in a vast number of recognition systems in diverse organisms in health and in disease. However, glycans cannot be sequenced because there is no sequencer technology that can fully characterize them. There is no "template" for replicating glycans as there are for amino acids and nucleic acids. Instead, glycans are synthesized by a complicated orchestration of multitudes of glycosyltransferases and glycosidases. Thus glycans can vary greatly in structure, but they are not genetically reproducible and are usually isolated in minute amounts. To characterize (sequence) the glycome (defined as the glycans in a particular organism, tissue, cell, or protein), glycosylation pathway prediction using in silico methods based on glycogene expression data, and glycosylation simulations have been attempted. Since many of the mammalian glycogenes have been identified and cloned, it has become possible to predict the glycan biosynthesis pathway in these systems. By then incorporating systems biology and bioprocessing technologies to these pathway models, given the right enzymatic parameters including enzyme and substrate concentrations and kinetic reaction parameters, it is possible to predict the potentially synthesized glycans in the pathway. This review presents information on the data resources that are currently available to enable in silico simulations of glycosylation and related pathways. Then some of the software tools that have been developed in the past to simulate and analyze glycosylation pathways will be described, followed by a summary and vision for the future developments and research directions in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukie Akune-Taylor
- Glycan and Life Systems Integration Center, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akane Kon
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoko F Aoki-Kinoshita
- Glycan and Life Systems Integration Center, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan.
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan.
- iGCORE, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
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Okada T, Teramoto T, Ihara H, Ikeda Y, Kakuta Y. Crystal structure of mango α1,3/α1,4-fucosyltransferase elucidates unique elements that regulate Lewis A-dominant oligosaccharide assembly. Glycobiology 2024; 34:cwae015. [PMID: 38376259 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwae015] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
In various organisms, α1,3/α1,4-fucosyltransferases (CAZy GT10 family enzymes) mediate the assembly of type I (Galβ1,3GlcNAc) and/or type II (Galβ1,4GlcNAc)-based Lewis structures that are widely distributed in glycoconjugates. Unlike enzymes of other species, plant orthologues show little fucosyltransferase activity for type II-based glycans and predominantly catalyze the assembly of the Lewis A structure [Galβ1,3(Fucα1,4)GlcNAc] on the type I disaccharide unit of their substrates. However, the structural basis underlying this unique substrate selectivity remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the structure-function relationship of MiFUT13A, a mango α1,3/α1,4-fucosyltransferase. The prepared MiFUT13A displayed distinct α1,4-fucosyltransferase activity. Consistent with the enzymatic properties of this molecule, X-ray crystallography revealed that this enzyme has a typical GT-B fold-type structure containing a set of residues that are responsible for its SN2-like catalysis. Site-directed mutagenesis and molecular docking analyses proposed a rational binding mechanism for type I oligosaccharides. Within the catalytic cleft, the pocket surrounding Trp121 serves as a binding site, anchoring the non-reducing terminal β1,3-galactose that belongs to the type I disaccharide unit. Furthermore, Glu177 was postulated to function as a general base catalyst through its interaction with the 4-hydroxy group of the acceptor N-acetylglucosamine residue. Adjacent residues, specifically Thr120, Thr157 and Asp175 were speculated to assist in binding of the reducing terminal residues. Intriguingly, these structural elements were not fully conserved in mammalian orthologue which also shows predominant α1,4-fucosyltransferase activity. In conclusion, we have proposed that MiFUT13A generates the Lewis A structure on type I glycans through a distinct mechanism, divergent from that of mammalian enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Okada
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Takamasa Teramoto
- Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Ihara
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Ikeda
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshimitsu Kakuta
- Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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Aizezi Y, Zhao H, Zhang Z, Bi Y, Yang Q, Guo G, Zhang H, Guo H, Jiang K, Wang ZY. Structure-based virtual screening identifies small-molecule inhibitors of O-fucosyltransferase SPINDLY in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:497-509. [PMID: 38124350 PMCID: PMC10896289 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Protein O-glycosylation is a nutrient signaling mechanism that plays an essential role in maintaining cellular homeostasis across different species. In plants, SPINDLY (SPY) and SECRET AGENT (SEC) posttranslationally modify hundreds of intracellular proteins with O-fucose and O-linked N-acetylglucosamine, respectively. SPY and SEC play overlapping roles in cellular regulation, and loss of both SPY and SEC causes embryo lethality in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Using structure-based virtual screening of chemical libraries followed by in vitro and in planta assays, we identified a SPY O-fucosyltransferase inhibitor (SOFTI). Computational analyses predicted that SOFTI binds to the GDP-fucose-binding pocket of SPY and competitively inhibits GDP-fucose binding. In vitro assays confirmed that SOFTI interacts with SPY and inhibits its O-fucosyltransferase activity. Docking analysis identified additional SOFTI analogs that showed stronger inhibitory activities. SOFTI treatment of Arabidopsis seedlings decreased protein O-fucosylation and elicited phenotypes similar to the spy mutants, including early seed germination, increased root hair density, and defective sugar-dependent growth. In contrast, SOFTI did not visibly affect the spy mutant. Similarly, SOFTI inhibited the sugar-dependent growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings. These results demonstrate that SOFTI is a specific SPY O-fucosyltransferase inhibitor that can be used as a chemical tool for functional studies of O-fucosylation and potentially for agricultural management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalikunjiang Aizezi
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Hongming Zhao
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zhang
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yang Bi
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Qiuhua Yang
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Guangshuo Guo
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Hongliang Zhang
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Kai Jiang
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Wang
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Zhang Z, Zhong Z, Xiong Y. Sailing in complex nutrient signaling networks: Where I am, where to go, and how to go? MOLECULAR PLANT 2023; 16:1635-1660. [PMID: 37740490 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
To ensure survival and promote growth, sessile plants have developed intricate internal signaling networks tailored in diverse cells and organs with both shared and specialized functions that respond to various internal and external cues. A fascinating question arises: how can a plant cell or organ diagnose the spatial and temporal information it is experiencing to know "where I am," and then is able to make the accurate specific responses to decide "where to go" and "how to go," despite the absence of neuronal systems found in mammals. Drawing inspiration from recent comprehensive investigations into diverse nutrient signaling pathways in plants, this review focuses on the interactive nutrient signaling networks mediated by various nutrient sensors and transducers. We assess and illustrate examples of how cells and organs exhibit specific responses to changing spatial and temporal information within these interactive plant nutrient networks. In addition, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which plants employ posttranslational modification codes to integrate different upstream nutrient signals, thereby conferring response specificities to the signaling hub proteins. Furthermore, we discuss recent breakthrough studies that demonstrate the potential of modulating nutrient sensing and signaling as promising strategies to enhance crop yield, even with reduced fertilizer application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Synthetic Biology Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhaochen Zhong
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Synthetic Biology Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yan Xiong
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Synthetic Biology Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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Deryusheva EI, Machulin AV, Galzitskaya OV. Diversity and features of proteins with structural repeats. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:1159-1169. [PMID: 37974986 PMCID: PMC10643770 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01130-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The review provides information on proteins with structural repeats, including their classification, characteristics, functions, and relevance in disease development. It explores methods for identifying structural repeats and specialized databases. The review also highlights the potential use of repeat proteins as drug design scaffolds and discusses their evolutionary mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniya I. Deryusheva
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Andrey V. Machulin
- Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Oxana V. Galzitskaya
- Institute of Protein Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
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Aizezi Y, Zhao H, Zhang Z, Bi Y, Yang Q, Guo G, Zhang H, Guo H, Jiang K, Wang ZY. Structure-based virtual screening identifies small molecule inhibitors of O-fucosyltransferase SPINDLY. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.13.544843. [PMID: 37398095 PMCID: PMC10312698 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.13.544843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Protein O-glycosylation is a nutrient-signaling mechanism that plays essential roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis across different species. In plants, SPINDLY (SPY) and SECRET AGENT (SEC) catalyze posttranslational modifications of hundreds of intracellular proteins by O-fucose and O-linked N-acetylglucosamine, respectively. SPY and SEC play overlapping roles in cellular regulation and loss of both SPY and SEC causes embryo lethality in Arabidopsis. Using structure-based virtual screening of chemical libraries followed by in vitro and in planta assays, we identified a S PY O - f ucosyltransferase i nhibitor (SOFTI). Computational analyses predicted that SOFTI binds to the GDP-fucose-binding pocket of SPY and competitively inhibits GDP-fucose binding. In vitro assays confirmed that SOFTI interacts with SPY and inhibits its O-fucosyltransferase activity. Docking analysis identified additional SOFTI analogs that showed stronger inhibitory activities. SOFTI treatment of Arabidopsis seedlings decreased protein O-fucosylation and caused phenotypes similar to the spy mutants, including early seed germination, increased root hair density, and defect in sugar-dependent growth. By contrast, SOFTI had no visible effect on the spy mutant. Similarly, SOFTI inhibited sugar-dependent growth of tomato seedlings. These results demonstrate that SOFTI is a specific SPY O-fucosyltransferase inhibitor and a useful chemical tool for functional studies of O-fucosylation and potentially for agricultural management.
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