1
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Wang L, Wen Z, Liu SW, Zhang L, Finley C, Lee HJ, Fan HJS. Overview of AlphaFold2 and breakthroughs in overcoming its limitations. Comput Biol Med 2024; 176:108620. [PMID: 38761500 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108620] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Predicting three-dimensional (3D) protein structures has been challenging for decades. The emergence of AlphaFold2 (AF2), a deep learning-based machine learning method developed by DeepMind, became a game changer in the protein folding community. AF2 can predict a protein's three-dimensional structure with high confidence based on its amino acid sequence. Accurate prediction of protein structures can dramatically accelerate our understanding of biological mechanisms and provide a solid foundation for reliable drug design. Although AF2 breaks through the barriers in predicting protein structures, many rooms remain to be further studied. This review provides a brief historical overview of the development of protein structure prediction, covering template-based, template-free, and machine learning-based methods. In addition to reviewing the potential benefits (Pros) and considerations (Cons) of using AF2, this review summarizes the diverse applications, including protein structure predictions, dynamic changes, point mutation, integration of language model and experimental data, protein complex, and protein-peptide interaction. It underscores recent advancements in efficiency, reliability, and broad application of AF2. This comprehensive review offers valuable insights into the applications of AF2 and AF2-inspired AI methods in structural biology and its potential for clinically significant drug target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong City, Sichuan Province, 64300, China
| | - Zehua Wen
- College of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong City, Sichuan Province, 64300, China
| | - Shi-Wei Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong City, Sichuan Province, 64300, China
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Digestive Department, Binhai New Area Hospital of TCM Tianjin, Tianjin, 300451, China
| | - Cierra Finley
- Department of Natural Sciences, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Memphis, TN, 38015, USA
| | - Ho-Jin Lee
- Department of Natural Sciences, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Memphis, TN, 38015, USA; Division of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, LeMoyne-Own College, Memphis, TN, 38126, USA.
| | - Hua-Jun Shawn Fan
- College of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong City, Sichuan Province, 64300, China.
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2
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Fernández-Calvet A, Matilla-Cuenca L, Izco M, Navarro S, Serrano M, Ventura S, Blesa J, Herráiz M, Alkorta-Aranburu G, Galera S, Ruiz de Los Mozos I, Mansego ML, Toledo-Arana A, Alvarez-Erviti L, Valle J. Gut microbiota produces biofilm-associated amyloids with potential for neurodegeneration. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4150. [PMID: 38755164 PMCID: PMC11099085 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48309-x] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related neurodegenerative diseases involving amyloid aggregation remain one of the biggest challenges of modern medicine. Alterations in the gastrointestinal microbiome play an active role in the aetiology of neurological disorders. Here, we dissect the amyloidogenic properties of biofilm-associated proteins (BAPs) of the gut microbiota and their implications for synucleinopathies. We demonstrate that BAPs are naturally assembled as amyloid-like fibrils in insoluble fractions isolated from the human gut microbiota. We show that BAP genes are part of the accessory genomes, revealing microbiome variability. Remarkably, the abundance of certain BAP genes in the gut microbiome is correlated with Parkinson's disease (PD) incidence. Using cultured dopaminergic neurons and Caenorhabditis elegans models, we report that BAP-derived amyloids induce α-synuclein aggregation. Our results show that the chaperone-mediated autophagy is compromised by BAP amyloids. Indeed, inoculation of BAP fibrils into the brains of wild-type mice promote key pathological features of PD. Therefore, our findings establish the use of BAP amyloids as potential targets and biomarkers of α-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Fernández-Calvet
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IDAB). CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra, Avenida Pamplona 123, Mutilva, 31192, Spain
| | - Leticia Matilla-Cuenca
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IDAB). CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra, Avenida Pamplona 123, Mutilva, 31192, Spain
| | - María Izco
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
| | - Susanna Navarro
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Miriam Serrano
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IDAB). CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra, Avenida Pamplona 123, Mutilva, 31192, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Javier Blesa
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maite Herráiz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clínica Universitaria and Medical School, University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain
- IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gorka Alkorta-Aranburu
- IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIMA LAB Diagnostics, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sergio Galera
- Department of Personalized Medicine, NASERTIC, Government of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - María Luisa Mansego
- Translational Bioinformatics Unit, Navarrabiomed, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra (CHN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Toledo-Arana
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IDAB). CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra, Avenida Pamplona 123, Mutilva, 31192, Spain
| | - Lydia Alvarez-Erviti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
| | - Jaione Valle
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IDAB). CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra, Avenida Pamplona 123, Mutilva, 31192, Spain.
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3
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Szulc N, Gąsior-Głogowska M, Żyłka P, Szefczyk M, Wojciechowski JW, Żak AM, Dyrka W, Kaczorowska A, Burdukiewicz M, Tarek M, Kotulska M. Structural effects of charge destabilization and amino acid substitutions in amyloid fragments of CsgA. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2024; 313:124094. [PMID: 38503257 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124094] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The most studied functional amyloid is the CsgA, major curli subunit protein, which is produced by numerous strains of Enterobacteriaceae. Although CsgA sequences are highly conserved, they exhibit species diversity, which reflects the specific evolutionary and functional adaptability of the major curli subunit. Herein, we performed bioinformatics analyses to uncover the differences in the amyloidogenic properties of the R4 fragments in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica and proposed four mutants for more detailed studies: M1, M2, M3, and M4. The mutated sequences were characterized by various experimental techniques, such as circular dichroism, ATR-FTIR, FT-Raman, thioflavin T, transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to determine the role of buffer ions in the aggregation process. Our results demonstrated that the aggregation kinetics, fibril morphology, and overall structure of the peptide were significantly affected by the positions of charged amino acids within the repeat sequences of CsgA. Notably, substituting glycine with lysine resulted in the formation of distinctive spherically packed globular aggregates. The differences in morphology observed are attributed to the influence of phosphate ions, which disrupt the local electrostatic interaction network of the polypeptide chains. This study provides knowledge on the preferential formation of amyloid fibrils based on charge states within the polypeptide chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Szulc
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland; CNRS, University of Lorraine, F-5400 Nancy, France; Department of Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marlena Gąsior-Głogowska
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Żyłka
- Department of Electrical Engineering Fundamentals, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Monika Szefczyk
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jakub W Wojciechowski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej M Żak
- Institute of Advanced Materials, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Witold Dyrka
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kaczorowska
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland; Laboratory of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Michał Burdukiewicz
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Plaça Cívica Bellaterra, s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain; Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Jana Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Mounir Tarek
- CNRS, University of Lorraine, F-5400 Nancy, France.
| | - Malgorzata Kotulska
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland.
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4
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Peña-Díaz S, Olsen WP, Wang H, Otzen DE. Functional Amyloids: The Biomaterials of Tomorrow? ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312823. [PMID: 38308110 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Functional amyloid (FAs), particularly the bacterial proteins CsgA and FapC, have many useful properties as biomaterials: high stability, efficient, and controllable formation of a single type of amyloid, easy availability as extracellular material in bacterial biofilm and flexible engineering to introduce new properties. CsgA in particular has already demonstrated its worth in hydrogels for stable gastrointestinal colonization and regenerative tissue engineering, cell-specific drug release, water-purification filters, and different biosensors. It also holds promise as catalytic amyloid; existing weak and unspecific activity can undoubtedly be improved by targeted engineering and benefit from the repetitive display of active sites on a surface. Unfortunately, FapC remains largely unexplored and no application is described so far. Since FapC shares many common features with CsgA, this opens the window to its development as a functional scaffold. The multiple imperfect repeats in CsgA and FapC form a platform to introduce novel properties, e.g., in connecting linkers of variable lengths. While exploitation of this potential is still at an early stage, particularly for FapC, a thorough understanding of their molecular properties will pave the way for multifunctional fibrils which can contribute toward solving many different societal challenges, ranging from CO2 fixation to hydrolysis of plastic nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Peña-Díaz
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
| | - William Pallisgaard Olsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
| | - Huabing Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Clinical Laboratory Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Shuangyong Road 6, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
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5
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Peña-Díaz S, Ferreira P, Ramos MJ, Otzen DE. Mining and engineering activity in catalytic amyloids. Methods Enzymol 2024; 697:345-422. [PMID: 38816129 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.03.002] [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: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
This chapter describes how to test different amyloid preparations for catalytic properties. We describe how to express, purify, prepare and test two types of pathological amyloid (tau and α-synuclein) and two functional amyloid proteins, namely CsgA from Escherichia coli and FapC from Pseudomonas. We therefore preface the methods section with an introduction to these two examples of functional amyloid and their remarkable structural and kinetic properties and high physical stability, which renders them very attractive for a range of nanotechnological designs, both for structural, medical and catalytic purposes. The simplicity and high surface exposure of the CsgA amyloid is particularly useful for the introduction of new functional properties and we therefore provide a computational protocol to graft active sites from an enzyme of interest into the amyloid structure. We hope that the methods described will inspire other researchers to explore the remarkable opportunities provided by bacterial functional amyloid in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Peña-Díaz
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pedro Ferreira
- Faculdade de Ciencias, Universidad do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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6
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Bu F, Dee DR, Liu B. Structural insight into Escherichia coli CsgA amyloid fibril assembly. mBio 2024; 15:e0041924. [PMID: 38501920 PMCID: PMC11005368 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00419-24] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of functional amyloids in bacteria dates back several decades, and our understanding of the Escherichia coli curli biogenesis system has gradually expanded over time. However, due to its high aggregation propensity and intrinsically disordered nature, CsgA, the main structural component of curli fibrils, has eluded comprehensive structural characterization. Recent advancements in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) offer a promising tool to achieve high-resolution structural insights into E. coli CsgA fibrils. In this study, we outline an approach to addressing the colloidal instability challenges associated with CsgA, achieved through engineering and electrostatic repulsion. Then, we present the cryo-EM structure of CsgA fibrils at 3.62 Å resolution. This structure provides new insights into the cross-β structure of E. coli CsgA. Additionally, our study identifies two distinct spatial arrangements within several CsgA fibrils, a 2-CsgA-fibril pair and a 3-CsgA-fibril bundle, shedding light on the intricate hierarchy of the biofilm extracellular matrix and laying the foundation for precise manipulation of CsgA-derived biomaterials.IMPORTANCEThe visualization of the architecture of Escherichia coli CsgA amyloid fibril has been a longstanding research question, for which a high-resolution structure is still unavailable. CsgA serves as a major subunit of curli, the primary component of the extracellular matrix generated by bacteria. The support provided by this extracellular matrix enables bacterial biofilms to resist antibiotic treatment, significantly impacting human health. CsgA has been identified in members of Enterobacteriaceae, with pathogenic E. coli being the most well-known model system. Our novel insights into the structure of E. coli CsgA protofilaments form the basis for drug design targeting diseases associated with biofilms. Additionally, CsgA is widely researched in biomaterials due to its self-assembly characteristics. The resolved spatial arrangements of CsgA amyloids revealed in our study will further enhance the precision design of functional biomaterials. Therefore, our study uniquely contributes to the understanding of CsgA amyloids for both microbiology and material science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Bu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Derek R. Dee
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bin Liu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
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7
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Böhning J, Tarafder AK, Bharat TA. The role of filamentous matrix molecules in shaping the architecture and emergent properties of bacterial biofilms. Biochem J 2024; 481:245-263. [PMID: 38358118 PMCID: PMC10903470 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210301] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Numerous bacteria naturally occur within spatially organised, multicellular communities called biofilms. Moreover, most bacterial infections proceed with biofilm formation, posing major challenges to human health. Within biofilms, bacterial cells are embedded in a primarily self-produced extracellular matrix, which is a defining feature of all biofilms. The biofilm matrix is a complex, viscous mixture primarily composed of polymeric substances such as polysaccharides, filamentous protein fibres, and extracellular DNA. The structured arrangement of the matrix bestows bacteria with beneficial emergent properties that are not displayed by planktonic cells, conferring protection against physical and chemical stresses, including antibiotic treatment. However, a lack of multi-scale information at the molecular level has prevented a better understanding of this matrix and its properties. Here, we review recent progress on the molecular characterisation of filamentous biofilm matrix components and their three-dimensional spatial organisation within biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Böhning
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K
| | - Abul K. Tarafder
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K
| | - Tanmay A.M. Bharat
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K
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8
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Garcia-Pardo J, Fornt-Suñé M, Ventura S. Assembly and catalytic activity of short prion-inspired peptides. Methods Enzymol 2024; 697:499-526. [PMID: 38816134 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.01.015] [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: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Enzymes play a crucial role in biochemical reactions, but their inherent structural instability limits their performance in industrial processes. In contrast, amyloid structures, known for their exceptional stability, are emerging as promising candidates for synthetic catalysis. This article explores the development of metal-decorated nanozymes formed by short peptides, inspired by prion-like domains. We detail the rational design of synthetic short Tyrosine-rich peptide sequences, focusing on their self-assembly into stable amyloid structures and their metallization with biologically relevant divalent metal cations, such as Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+ and Zn2+. The provided experimental framework offers a step-by-step guide for researchers interested in exploring the catalytic potential of metal-decorated peptides. By bridging the gap between amyloid structures and catalytic function, these hybrid molecules open new avenues for developing novel metalloenzymes with potential applications in diverse chemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Garcia-Pardo
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marc Fornt-Suñé
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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9
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Mahbub NU, Islam MM, Hong ST, Chung HJ. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and its effect on α-synuclein and prion protein misfolding: consequences for neurodegeneration. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1348279. [PMID: 38435303 PMCID: PMC10904658 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1348279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormal behavior of α-synuclein and prion proteins is the hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) and prion illnesses, respectively, being complex neurological disorders. A primary cause of protein aggregation, brain injury, and cognitive loss in prion illnesses is the misfolding of normal cellular prion proteins (PrPC) into an infectious form (PrPSc). Aggregation of α-synuclein causes disruptions in cellular processes in Parkinson's disease (PD), leading to loss of dopamine-producing neurons and motor symptoms. Alteration in the composition or activity of gut microbes may weaken the intestinal barrier and make it possible for prions to go from the gut to the brain. The gut-brain axis is linked to neuroinflammation; the metabolites produced by the gut microbiota affect the aggregation of α-synuclein, regulate inflammation and immunological responses, and may influence the course of the disease and neurotoxicity of proteins, even if their primary targets are distinct proteins. This thorough analysis explores the complex interactions that exist between the gut microbiota and neurodegenerative illnesses, particularly Parkinson's disease (PD) and prion disorders. The involvement of the gut microbiota, a complex collection of bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses etc., in various neurological illnesses is becoming increasingly recognized. The gut microbiome influences neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter synthesis, mitochondrial function, and intestinal barrier integrity through the gut-brain axis, which contributes to the development and progression of disease. The review delves into the molecular mechanisms that underlie these relationships, emphasizing the effects of microbial metabolites such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in regulating brain functioning. Additionally, it looks at how environmental influences and dietary decisions affect the gut microbiome and whether they could be risk factors for neurodegenerative illnesses. This study concludes by highlighting the critical role that the gut microbiota plays in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) and prion disease. It also provides a promising direction for future research and possible treatment approaches. People afflicted by these difficult ailments may find hope in new preventive and therapeutic approaches if the role of the gut microbiota in these diseases is better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasir Uddin Mahbub
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Md Minarul Islam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Tshool Hong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hea-Jong Chung
- Gwangju Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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10
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Guza M, Dzwolak W. Acetone-induced structural variant of insulin amyloid fibrils. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 257:128680. [PMID: 38071871 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128680] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Self-propagating polymorphism of amyloid fibrils is a distinct manifestation of non-equilibrium conditions under which protein aggregation typically occurs. Structural variants of fibrils can often be accessed through physicochemical perturbations of the de novo aggregation process. On the other hand, tiny changes in the amino acid sequence of the parent protein may also result in structurally distinguishable amyloid fibrils. Here, we show that in the presence of acetone, the low-pH fibrillization pathway of bovine insulin (BI) leads to a new type of amyloid with the infrared features (split amide I' band with the maximum at 1623 cm-1) bearing a striking resemblance to those of the previously reported fibrils from recombinant LysB31-ArgB32 human insulin analog formed in the absence of the co-solvent. Insulin fibrils formed in the presence ([BI-ace]) and absence ([BI]) of acetone cross-seed each other and pass their infrared features to the daughter generations of fibrils. We have used dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) coupled to in situ infrared spectroscopy measurements to probe the stability of fibrils against chemical denaturation. While both types of fibrils eventually undergo DMSO-induced disassembly coupled to a β-sheet→coil transition, in the case of [BI-ace] amyloid, the denaturation is preceded by the fibrils transiently acquiring the [BI]-like infrared characteristics. We argue that this effect is caused by DMSO-induced dehydration of [BI-ace]. In support to this hypothesis, we show that, even in the absence of DMSO, the infrared features of [BI-ace] disappear upon drying. We discuss this very peculiar aspect of [BI-ace] fibrils in the context of recently accessed in silico models of plausible structural variants of insulin protofilaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Guza
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 1 Pasteur Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Dzwolak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 1 Pasteur Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
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11
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Louros N, Schymkowitz J, Rousseau F. Mechanisms and pathology of protein misfolding and aggregation. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:912-933. [PMID: 37684425 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00647-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in machine learning-based protein structure prediction, we are still far from fully understanding how proteins fold into their native conformation. The conventional notion that polypeptides fold spontaneously to their biologically active states has gradually been replaced by our understanding that cellular protein folding often requires context-dependent guidance from molecular chaperones in order to avoid misfolding. Misfolded proteins can aggregate into larger structures, such as amyloid fibrils, which perpetuate the misfolding process, creating a self-reinforcing cascade. A surge in amyloid fibril structures has deepened our comprehension of how a single polypeptide sequence can exhibit multiple amyloid conformations, known as polymorphism. The assembly of these polymorphs is not a random process but is influenced by the specific conditions and tissues in which they originate. This observation suggests that, similar to the folding of native proteins, the kinetics of pathological amyloid assembly are modulated by interactions specific to cells and tissues. Here, we review the current understanding of how intrinsic protein conformational propensities are modulated by physiological and pathological interactions in the cell to shape protein misfolding and aggregation pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Louros
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Schymkowitz
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Frederic Rousseau
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Emani SS, Kan A, Storms T, Bonanno S, Law J, Ray S, Joshi NS. Periplasmic stress contributes to a trade-off between protein secretion and cell growth in Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2023; 8:ysad013. [PMID: 37601821 PMCID: PMC10439730 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysad013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Maximizing protein secretion is an important target in the design of engineered living systems. In this paper, we characterize a trade-off between cell growth and per-cell protein secretion in the curli biofilm secretion system of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. Initial characterization using 24-h continuous growth and protein production monitoring confirms decreased growth rates at high induction, leading to a local maximum in total protein production at intermediate induction. Propidium iodide (PI) staining at the endpoint indicates that cellular death is a dominant cause of growth reduction. Assaying variants with combinatorial constructs of inner and outer membrane secretion tags, we find that diminished growth at high production is specific to secretory variants associated with periplasmic stress mediated by outer membrane secretion and periplasmic accumulation of protein containing the outer membrane transport tag. RNA sequencing experiments indicate upregulation of known periplasmic stress response genes in the highly secreting variant, further implicating periplasmic stress in the growth-secretion trade-off. Overall, these results motivate additional strategies for optimizing total protein production and longevity of secretory engineered living systems Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anton Kan
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Timothy Storms
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shanna Bonanno
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jade Law
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sanhita Ray
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Neel S Joshi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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