1
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Gotthard G, Flores-Ibarra A, Carrillo M, Kepa MW, Mason TJ, Stegmann DP, Olasz B, Pachota M, Dworkowski F, Ozerov D, Pedrini BF, Padeste C, Beale JH, Nogly P. Fixed-target pump-probe SFX: eliminating the scourge of light contamination. IUCRJ 2024; 11:749-761. [PMID: 38980142 PMCID: PMC11364036 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252524005591] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) light sources have enabled the rapid growth of time-resolved structural experiments, which provide crucial information on the function of macromolecules and their mechanisms. Here, the aim was to commission the SwissMX fixed-target sample-delivery system at the SwissFEL Cristallina experimental station using the PSI-developed micro-structured polymer (MISP) chip for pump-probe time-resolved experiments. To characterize the system, crystals of the light-sensitive protein light-oxygen-voltage domain 1 (LOV1) from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were used. Using different experimental settings, the accidental illumination, referred to as light contamination, of crystals mounted in wells adjacent to those illuminated by the pump laser was examined. It was crucial to control the light scattering from and through the solid supports otherwise significant contamination occurred. However, the results here show that the opaque MISP chips are suitable for defined pump-probe studies of a light-sensitive protein. The experiment also probed the sub-millisecond structural dynamics of LOV1 and indicated that at Δt = 10 µs a covalent thioether bond is established between reactive Cys57 and its flavin mononucleotide cofactor. This experiment validates the crystals to be suitable for in-depth follow-up studies of this still poorly understood signal-transduction mechanism. Importantly, the fixed-target delivery system also permitted a tenfold reduction in protein sample consumption compared with the more common high-viscosity extrusion-based delivery system. This development creates the prospect of an increase in XFEL project throughput for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Gotthard
- Institute of Molecular Biology and BiophysicsETH ZurichRämistrasse 1018092ZürichSwitzerland
- Laboratory of Biomolecular ResearchPaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
- Swiss Light SourcePaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - Andrea Flores-Ibarra
- Dioscuri Center for Structural Dynamics of Receptors, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and BiotechnologyJagiellonian UniversityGronostajowa 730-380KrakowPoland
| | - Melissa Carrillo
- Laboratory of Nanoscale BiologyPaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - Michal W. Kepa
- Laboratory of Biomolecular ResearchPaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - Thomas J. Mason
- Laboratory of Biomolecular ResearchPaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
- Swiss Light SourcePaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - Dennis P. Stegmann
- Swiss Light SourcePaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - Bence Olasz
- Dioscuri Center for Structural Dynamics of Receptors, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and BiotechnologyJagiellonian UniversityGronostajowa 730-380KrakowPoland
| | - Magdalena Pachota
- Dioscuri Center for Structural Dynamics of Receptors, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and BiotechnologyJagiellonian UniversityGronostajowa 730-380KrakowPoland
| | - Florian Dworkowski
- Laboratory for Synchrotron Radiation and FemtochemistryPaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - Dmitry Ozerov
- Science IT Infrastructure and ServicesPaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - Bill F. Pedrini
- Laboratory for X-ray Nanoscience and TechnologiesPaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - Celestino Padeste
- Laboratory of Nanoscale BiologyPaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - John H. Beale
- Swiss Light SourcePaul Scherrer InstitutForschungsstrasse 1115232VilligenSwitzerland
| | - Przemyslaw Nogly
- Institute of Molecular Biology and BiophysicsETH ZurichRämistrasse 1018092ZürichSwitzerland
- Dioscuri Center for Structural Dynamics of Receptors, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and BiotechnologyJagiellonian UniversityGronostajowa 730-380KrakowPoland
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2
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Henkel A, Oberthür D. A snapshot love story: what serial crystallography has done and will do for us. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2024; 80:563-579. [PMID: 38984902 PMCID: PMC11301758 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798324005588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Serial crystallography, born from groundbreaking experiments at the Linac Coherent Light Source in 2009, has evolved into a pivotal technique in structural biology. Initially pioneered at X-ray free-electron laser facilities, it has now expanded to synchrotron-radiation facilities globally, with dedicated experimental stations enhancing its accessibility. This review gives an overview of current developments in serial crystallography, emphasizing recent results in time-resolved crystallography, and discussing challenges and shortcomings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Henkel
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFELDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYNotkestr. 8522607HamburgGermany
| | - Dominik Oberthür
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFELDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYNotkestr. 8522607HamburgGermany
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3
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Zielinski KA, Dolamore C, Dalton KM, Smith N, Termini J, Henning R, Srajer V, Hekstra DR, Pollack L, Wilson MA. Resolving DJ-1 Glyoxalase Catalysis Using Mix-and-Inject Serial Crystallography at a Synchrotron. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.19.604369. [PMID: 39071394 PMCID: PMC11275809 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.19.604369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
DJ-1 (PARK7) is an intensively studied protein whose cytoprotective activities are dysregulated in multiple diseases. DJ-1 has been reported as having two distinct enzymatic activities in defense against reactive carbonyl species that are difficult to distinguish in conventional biochemical experiments. Here, we establish the mechanism of DJ-1 using a synchrotron-compatible version of mix-and-inject-serial crystallography (MISC), which was previously performed only at XFELs, to directly observe DJ-1 catalysis. We designed and used new diffusive mixers to collect time-resolved Laue diffraction data of DJ-1 catalysis at a pink beam synchrotron beamline. Analysis of structurally similar methylglyoxal-derived intermediates formed through the DJ-1 catalytic cycle shows that the enzyme catalyzes nearly two turnovers in the crystal and defines key aspects of its glyoxalase mechanism. In addition, DJ-1 shows allosteric communication between a distal site at the dimer interface and the active site that changes during catalysis. Our results rule out the widely cited deglycase mechanism for DJ-1 action and provide an explanation for how DJ-1 produces L-lactate with high chiral purity.
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4
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Purohit V, Steussy CN, Rosales AR, Critchelow CJ, Schmidt T, Helquist P, Wiest O, Mesecar A, Cohen AE, Stauffacher CV. pH-dependent reaction triggering in PmHMGR crystals for time-resolved crystallography. Biophys J 2024; 123:622-637. [PMID: 38327055 PMCID: PMC10938121 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Serial crystallography and time-resolved data collection can readily be employed to investigate the catalytic mechanism of Pseudomonas mevalonii 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-coenzyme-A (CoA) reductase (PmHMGR) by changing the environmental conditions in the crystal and so manipulating the reaction rate. This enzyme uses a complex mechanism to convert mevalonate to HMG-CoA using the co-substrate CoA and cofactor NAD+. The multi-step reaction mechanism involves an exchange of bound NAD+ and large conformational changes by a 50-residue subdomain. The enzymatic reaction can be run in both forward and reverse directions in solution and is catalytically active in the crystal for multiple reaction steps. Initially, the enzyme was found to be inactive in the crystal starting with bound mevalonate, CoA, and NAD+. To observe the reaction from this direction, we examined the effects of crystallization buffer constituents and pH on enzyme turnover, discovering a strong inhibition in the crystallization buffer and a controllable increase in enzyme turnover as a function of pH. The inhibition is dependent on ionic concentration of the crystallization precipitant ammonium sulfate but independent of its ionic composition. Crystallographic studies show that the observed inhibition only affects the oxidation of mevalonate but not the subsequent reactions of the intermediate mevaldehyde. Calculations of the pKa values for the enzyme active site residues suggest that the effect of pH on turnover is due to the changing protonation state of His381. We have now exploited the changes in ionic inhibition in combination with the pH-dependent increase in turnover as a novel approach for triggering the PmHMGR reaction in crystals and capturing information about its intermediate states along the reaction pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vatsal Purohit
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Calvin N Steussy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Anthony R Rosales
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | | | - Tim Schmidt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Paul Helquist
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Olaf Wiest
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Andrew Mesecar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Aina E Cohen
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California
| | - Cynthia V Stauffacher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
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5
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Stubbs J, Hornsey T, Hanrahan N, Esteban LB, Bolton R, Malý M, Basu S, Orlans J, de Sanctis D, Shim JU, Shaw Stewart PD, Orville AM, Tews I, West J. Droplet microfluidics for time-resolved serial crystallography. IUCRJ 2024; 11:237-248. [PMID: 38446456 PMCID: PMC10916287 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252524001799] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Serial crystallography requires large numbers of microcrystals and robust strategies to rapidly apply substrates to initiate reactions in time-resolved studies. Here, we report the use of droplet miniaturization for the controlled production of uniform crystals, providing an avenue for controlled substrate addition and synchronous reaction initiation. The approach was evaluated using two enzymatic systems, yielding 3 µm crystals of lysozyme and 2 µm crystals of Pdx1, an Arabidopsis enzyme involved in vitamin B6 biosynthesis. A seeding strategy was used to overcome the improbability of Pdx1 nucleation occurring with diminishing droplet volumes. Convection within droplets was exploited for rapid crystal mixing with ligands. Mixing times of <2 ms were achieved. Droplet microfluidics for crystal size engineering and rapid micromixing can be utilized to advance time-resolved serial crystallography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Stubbs
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Theo Hornsey
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Niall Hanrahan
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Luis Blay Esteban
- Universitat Carlemany, Avenida Verge de Canolich, 47, Sant Julia de Loria, Principat d’Andorra AD600, Spain
| | - Rachel Bolton
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Malý
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Shibom Basu
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Grenoble Outstation, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 90181, Grenoble 38042, Cedex 9, France
| | - Julien Orlans
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble 38042, Cedex 9, France
| | - Daniele de Sanctis
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble 38042, Cedex 9, France
| | - Jung-uk Shim
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Allen M. Orville
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Ivo Tews
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan West
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
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6
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Khusainov G, Standfuss J, Weinert T. The time revolution in macromolecular crystallography. STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS (MELVILLE, N.Y.) 2024; 11:020901. [PMID: 38616866 PMCID: PMC11015943 DOI: 10.1063/4.0000247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Macromolecular crystallography has historically provided the atomic structures of proteins fundamental to cellular functions. However, the advent of cryo-electron microscopy for structure determination of large and increasingly smaller and flexible proteins signaled a paradigm shift in structural biology. The extensive structural and sequence data from crystallography and advanced sequencing techniques have been pivotal for training computational models for accurate structure prediction, unveiling the general fold of most proteins. Here, we present a perspective on the rise of time-resolved crystallography as the new frontier of macromolecular structure determination. We trace the evolution from the pioneering time-resolved crystallography methods to modern serial crystallography, highlighting the synergy between rapid detection technologies and state-of-the-art x-ray sources. These innovations are redefining our exploration of protein dynamics, with high-resolution crystallography uniquely positioned to elucidate rapid dynamic processes at ambient temperatures, thus deepening our understanding of protein functionality. We propose that the integration of dynamic structural data with machine learning advancements will unlock predictive capabilities for protein kinetics, revolutionizing dynamics like macromolecular crystallography revolutionized structural biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgii Khusainov
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Joerg Standfuss
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Weinert
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
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7
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Berkes A, Kleine-Doepke S, Leimkohl JP, Schikora H, Mehrabi P, Tellkamp F, Schulz EC. An electropneumatic cleaning device for piezo-actuator-driven picolitre-droplet dispensers. J Appl Crystallogr 2024; 57:209-214. [PMID: 38322725 PMCID: PMC10840313 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576723009573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, we introduced the liquid application method for time-resolved analyses (LAMA). The time-consuming cleaning cycles required for the substrate solution exchange and storage of the sensitive droplet-dispenser nozzles present practical challenges. In this work, a dispenser cleaning system for the semi-automated cleaning of the piezo-actuator-driven picolitre-droplet dispensers required for LAMA is introduced to streamline typical workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Berkes
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Kleine-Doepke
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Hendrik Schikora
- Max-Planck-Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pedram Mehrabi
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friedjof Tellkamp
- Max-Planck-Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eike C. Schulz
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Caramello N, Royant A. From femtoseconds to minutes: time-resolved macromolecular crystallography at XFELs and synchrotrons. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2024; 80:60-79. [PMID: 38265875 PMCID: PMC10836399 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798323011002] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, the development of time-resolved serial crystallography (TR-SX) at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) and synchrotrons has allowed researchers to study phenomena occurring in proteins on the femtosecond-to-minute timescale, taking advantage of many technical and methodological breakthroughs. Protein crystals of various sizes are presented to the X-ray beam in either a static or a moving medium. Photoactive proteins were naturally the initial systems to be studied in TR-SX experiments using pump-probe schemes, where the pump is a pulse of visible light. Other reaction initiations through small-molecule diffusion are gaining momentum. Here, selected examples of XFEL and synchrotron time-resolved crystallography studies will be used to highlight the specificities of the various instruments and methods with respect to time resolution, and are compared with cryo-trapping studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Caramello
- Structural Biology Group, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 1 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 40220, 38043 Grenoble CEDEX 9, France
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, HARBOR, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Antoine Royant
- Structural Biology Group, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 1 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 40220, 38043 Grenoble CEDEX 9, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 10090, 38044 Grenoble CEDEX 9, France
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9
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Schmidt M, Stojković EA. Blue and red in the protein world: Photoactive yellow protein and phytochromes as revealed by time-resolved crystallography. STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS (MELVILLE, N.Y.) 2024; 11:014701. [PMID: 38304445 PMCID: PMC10834066 DOI: 10.1063/4.0000233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Time-resolved crystallography (TRX) is a method designed to investigate functional motions of biological macromolecules on all time scales. Originally a synchrotron-based method, TRX is enabled by the development of TR Laue crystallography (TRLX). TR serial crystallography (TR-SX) is an extension of TRLX. As the foundations of TRLX were evolving from the late 1980s to the turn of the millennium, TR-SX has been inspired by the development of Free Electron Lasers for hard X-rays. Extremely intense, ultrashort x-ray pulses could probe micro and nanocrystals, but at the same time, they inflicted radiation damage that necessitated the replacement by a new crystal. Consequently, a large number of microcrystals are exposed to X-rays one by one in a serial fashion. With TR-SX methods, one of the largest obstacles of previous approaches, namely, the unsurmountable challenges associated with the investigation of non-cyclic (irreversible) reactions, can be overcome. This article describes successes and transformative contributions to the TRX field by Keith Moffat and his collaborators, highlighting two major projects on protein photoreceptors initiated in the Moffat lab at the turn of the millennium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Schmidt
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA
| | - Emina A. Stojković
- Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60625, USA
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10
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Carrillo M, Mason TJ, Karpik A, Martiel I, Kepa MW, McAuley KE, Beale JH, Padeste C. Micro-structured polymer fixed targets for serial crystallography at synchrotrons and XFELs. IUCRJ 2023; 10:678-693. [PMID: 37727961 PMCID: PMC10619457 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252523007595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Fixed targets are a popular form of sample-delivery system used in serial crystallography at synchrotron and X-ray free-electron laser sources. They offer a wide range of sample-preparation options and are generally easy to use. The supports are typically made from silicon, quartz or polymer. Of these, currently, only silicon offers the ability to perform an aperture-aligned data collection where crystals are loaded into cavities in precise locations and sequentially rastered through, in step with the X-ray pulses. The polymer-based fixed targets have lacked the precision fabrication to enable this data-collection strategy and have been limited to directed-raster scans with crystals randomly distributed across the polymer surface. Here, the fabrication and first results from a new polymer-based fixed target, the micro-structured polymer fixed targets (MISP chips), are presented. MISP chips, like those made from silicon, have a precise array of cavities and fiducial markers. They consist of a structured polymer membrane and a stabilization frame. Crystals can be loaded into the cavities and the excess crystallization solution removed through apertures at their base. The fiducial markers allow for a rapid calculation of the aperture locations. The chips have a low X-ray background and, since they are optically transparent, also allow for an a priori analysis of crystal locations. This location mapping could, ultimately, optimize hit rates towards 100%. A black version of the MISP chip was produced to reduce light contamination for optical-pump/X-ray probe experiments. A study of the loading properties of the chips reveals that these types of fixed targets are best optimized for crystals of the order of 25 µm, but quality data can be collected from crystals as small as 5 µm. With the development of these chips, it has been proved that polymer-based fixed targets can be made with the precision required for aperture-alignment-based data-collection strategies. Further work can now be directed towards more cost-effective mass fabrication to make their use more sustainable for serial crystallography facilities and users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Carrillo
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience Institute, Klingelbergstrasse 82, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas J. Mason
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Agnieszka Karpik
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
- Institute of Polymer Nanotechnology (INKA), FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School of Engineering, Klosterzelgstrasse 2, 5210 Windisch, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Martiel
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Michal W. Kepa
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | - John H. Beale
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Celestino Padeste
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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11
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Malla TN, Zielinski K, Aldama L, Bajt S, Feliz D, Hayes B, Hunter M, Kupitz C, Lisova S, Knoska J, Martin-Garcia JM, Mariani V, Pandey S, Poudyal I, Sierra RG, Tolstikova A, Yefanov O, Yoon CH, Ourmazd A, Fromme P, Schwander P, Barty A, Chapman HN, Stojkovic EA, Batyuk A, Boutet S, Phillips GN, Pollack L, Schmidt M. Heterogeneity in M. tuberculosis β-lactamase inhibition by Sulbactam. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5507. [PMID: 37679343 PMCID: PMC10485065 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41246-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
For decades, researchers have elucidated essential enzymatic functions on the atomic length scale by tracing atomic positions in real-time. Our work builds on possibilities unleashed by mix-and-inject serial crystallography (MISC) at X-ray free electron laser facilities. In this approach, enzymatic reactions are triggered by mixing substrate or ligand solutions with enzyme microcrystals. Here, we report in atomic detail (between 2.2 and 2.7 Å resolution) by room-temperature, time-resolved crystallography with millisecond time-resolution (with timepoints between 3 ms and 700 ms) how the Mycobacterium tuberculosis enzyme BlaC is inhibited by sulbactam (SUB). Our results reveal ligand binding heterogeneity, ligand gating, cooperativity, induced fit, and conformational selection all from the same set of MISC data, detailing how SUB approaches the catalytic clefts and binds to the enzyme noncovalently before reacting to a trans-enamine. This was made possible in part by the application of singular value decomposition to the MISC data using a program that remains functional even if unit cell parameters change up to 3 Å during the reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tek Narsingh Malla
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Kara Zielinski
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Luis Aldama
- Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sasa Bajt
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Denisse Feliz
- Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brendon Hayes
- Linac Coherent Light Source LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Mark Hunter
- Linac Coherent Light Source LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Kupitz
- Linac Coherent Light Source LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Stella Lisova
- Linac Coherent Light Source LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Juraj Knoska
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jose Manuel Martin-Garcia
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, Institute of Physical Chemistry Blas Cabrera, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Valerio Mariani
- Linac Coherent Light Source LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Suraj Pandey
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Ishwor Poudyal
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Raymond G Sierra
- Linac Coherent Light Source LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | | | - Oleksandr Yefanov
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chung Hong Yoon
- Linac Coherent Light Source LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Abbas Ourmazd
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Petra Fromme
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, 20 Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Peter Schwander
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Anton Barty
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Data and Computing in Natural Science CDCS, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henry N Chapman
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emina A Stojkovic
- Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander Batyuk
- Linac Coherent Light Source LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Sébastien Boutet
- Linac Coherent Light Source LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - George N Phillips
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Marius Schmidt
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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12
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Ma W, Zhang W, Le Y, Shi X, Xu Q, Xiao Y, Dou Y, Wang X, Zhou W, Peng W, Zhang H, Huang B. Using macromolecular electron densities to improve the enrichment of active compounds in virtual screening. Commun Chem 2023; 6:173. [PMID: 37608192 PMCID: PMC10444862 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-00984-5] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The quest for effective virtual screening algorithms is hindered by the scarcity of training data, calling for innovative approaches. This study presents the use of experimental electron density (ED) data for improving active compound enrichment in virtual screening, supported by ED's ability to reflect the time-averaged behavior of ligands and solvents in the binding pocket. Experimental ED-based grid matching score (ExptGMS) was developed to score compounds by measuring the degree of matching between their binding conformations and a series of multi-resolution experimental ED grids. The efficiency of ExptGMS was validated using both in silico tests with the Directory of Useful Decoys-Enhanced dataset and wet-lab tests on Covid-19 3CLpro-inhibitors. ExptGMS improved the active compound enrichment in top-ranked molecules by approximately 20%. Furthermore, ExptGMS identified four active inhibitors of 3CLpro, with the most effective showing an IC50 value of 1.9 µM. We also developed an online database containing experimental ED grids for over 17,000 proteins to facilitate the use of ExptGMS for academic users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhi Ma
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510182, Guangzhou, China
- Innovation Center for Pathogen Research, Guangzhou Laboratory, 510320, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Le
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Shi
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China
| | - Qingbo Xu
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China
| | - Yueying Dou
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoman Wang
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China
| | - Wenbiao Zhou
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510182, Guangzhou, China
- Innovation Center for Pathogen Research, Guangzhou Laboratory, 510320, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongbo Zhang
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China.
| | - Bo Huang
- Beijing StoneWise Technology Co Ltd., Haidian Street #15, Haidian District, 100080, Beijing, China.
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13
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Vakili M, Han H, Schmidt C, Wrona A, Kloos M, de Diego I, Dörner K, Geng T, Kim C, Koua FHM, Melo DVM, Rappas M, Round A, Round E, Sikorski M, Valerio J, Zhou T, Lorenzen K, Schulz J. Mix-and-extrude: high-viscosity sample injection towards time-resolved protein crystallography. J Appl Crystallogr 2023; 56:1038-1045. [PMID: 37555221 PMCID: PMC10405586 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576723004405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Time-resolved crystallography enables the visualization of protein molecular motion during a reaction. Although light is often used to initiate reactions in time-resolved crystallography, only a small number of proteins can be activated by light. However, many biological reactions can be triggered by the interaction between proteins and ligands. The sample delivery method presented here uses a mix-and-extrude approach based on 3D-printed microchannels in conjunction with a micronozzle. The diffusive mixing enables the study of the dynamics of samples in viscous media. The device design allows mixing of the ligands and protein crystals in 2 to 20 s. The device characterization using a model system (fluorescence quenching of iq-mEmerald proteins by copper ions) demonstrated that ligand and protein crystals, each within lipidic cubic phase, can be mixed efficiently. The potential of this approach for time-resolved membrane protein crystallography to support the development of new drugs is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huijong Han
- European XFEL GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, Schenefeld 22869, Germany
| | | | | | - Marco Kloos
- European XFEL GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, Schenefeld 22869, Germany
| | - Iñaki de Diego
- European XFEL GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, Schenefeld 22869, Germany
| | | | - Tian Geng
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6DG, United Kingdom
| | - Chan Kim
- European XFEL GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, Schenefeld 22869, Germany
| | | | | | - Mathieu Rappas
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6DG, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Round
- European XFEL GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, Schenefeld 22869, Germany
| | | | | | - Joana Valerio
- European XFEL GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, Schenefeld 22869, Germany
| | - Tiankun Zhou
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | | | - Joachim Schulz
- European XFEL GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, Schenefeld 22869, Germany
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14
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Mehrabi P, Sung S, von Stetten D, Prester A, Hatton CE, Kleine-Döpke S, Berkes A, Gore G, Leimkohl JP, Schikora H, Kollewe M, Rohde H, Wilmanns M, Tellkamp F, Schulz EC. Millisecond cryo-trapping by the spitrobot crystal plunger simplifies time-resolved crystallography. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2365. [PMID: 37185266 PMCID: PMC10130016 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37834-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We introduce the spitrobot, a protein crystal plunger, enabling reaction quenching via cryo-trapping with a time-resolution in the millisecond range. Protein crystals are mounted on canonical micromeshes on an electropneumatic piston, where the crystals are kept in a humidity and temperature-controlled environment, then reactions are initiated via the liquid application method (LAMA) and plunging into liquid nitrogen is initiated after an electronically set delay time to cryo-trap intermediate states. High-magnification images are automatically recorded before and after droplet deposition, prior to plunging. The SPINE-standard sample holder is directly plunged into a storage puck, enabling compatibility with high-throughput infrastructure. Here we demonstrate binding of glucose and 2,3-butanediol in microcrystals of xylose isomerase, and of avibactam and ampicillin in microcrystals of the extended spectrum beta-lactamase CTX-M-14. We also trap reaction intermediates and conformational changes in macroscopic crystals of tryptophan synthase to demonstrate that the spitrobot enables insight into catalytic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Mehrabi
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid-State Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Sihyun Sung
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David von Stetten
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Prester
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Caitlin E Hatton
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid-State Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Kleine-Döpke
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid-State Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Berkes
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid-State Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gargi Gore
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid-State Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Hendrik Schikora
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Kollewe
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Holger Rohde
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Wilmanns
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friedjof Tellkamp
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Eike C Schulz
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid-State Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany.
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
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15
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Hough MA, Prischi F, Worrall JAR. Perspective: Structure determination of protein-ligand complexes at room temperature using X-ray diffraction approaches. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1113762. [PMID: 36756363 PMCID: PMC9899996 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1113762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between macromolecular proteins and small molecule ligands is an essential component of cellular function. Such ligands may include enzyme substrates, molecules involved in cellular signalling or pharmaceutical drugs. Together with biophysical techniques used to assess the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of ligand binding to proteins, methodology to determine high-resolution structures that enable atomic level interactions between protein and ligand(s) to be directly visualised is required. Whilst such structural approaches are well established with high throughput X-ray crystallography routinely used in the pharmaceutical sector, they provide only a static view of the complex. Recent advances in X-ray structural biology methods offer several new possibilities that can examine protein-ligand complexes at ambient temperature rather than under cryogenic conditions, enable transient binding sites and interactions to be characterised using time-resolved approaches and combine spectroscopic measurements from the same crystal that the structures themselves are determined. This Perspective reviews several recent developments in these areas and discusses new possibilities for applications of these advanced methodologies to transform our understanding of protein-ligand interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom,Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Michael A. Hough, ; Jonathan A. R. Worrall,
| | - Filippo Prischi
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan A. R. Worrall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Michael A. Hough, ; Jonathan A. R. Worrall,
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16
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Schmidt M, Malla TN, Zielinski K, Aldama L, Bajt S, Feliz D, Hayes B, Hunter M, Kupitz C, Lisova S, Knoska J, Martin-Garcia J, Mariani V, Pandey S, Poudyal I, Sierra R, Tolstikova A, Yefanov O, Yoon CH, Ourmazd A, Fromme P, Schwander P, Barty A, Chapman H, Stojković E, Batyuk A, Boutet S, Phillips G, Pollack L. Heterogeneity in the M. tuberculosis β-Lactamase Inhibition by Sulbactam. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2334665. [PMID: 36712138 PMCID: PMC9882615 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2334665/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
For decades, researchers have been determined to elucidate essential enzymatic functions on the atomic lengths scale by tracing atomic positions in real time. Our work builds on new possibilities unleashed by mix-and-inject serial crystallography (MISC) 1-5 at X-ray free electron laser facilities. In this approach, enzymatic reactions are triggered by mixing substrate or ligand solutions with enzyme microcrystals 6 . Here, we report in atomic detail and with millisecond time-resolution how the Mycobacterium tuberculosis enzyme BlaC is inhibited by sulbactam (SUB). Our results reveal ligand binding heterogeneity, ligand gating 7-9 , cooperativity, induced fit 10,11 and conformational selection 11-13 all from the same set of MISC data, detailing how SUB approaches the catalytic clefts and binds to the enzyme non-covalently before reacting to a trans- enamine. This was made possible in part by the application of the singular value decomposition 14 to the MISC data using a newly developed program that remains functional even if unit cell parameters change during the reaction.
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17
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Mehrabi P, Schulz EC. Sample Preparation for Time-Resolved Serial Crystallography: Practical Considerations. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2652:361-379. [PMID: 37093487 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3147-8_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Time-resolved serial crystallography is an emerging method to elucidate the structure-function relationship of biomolecular systems at up to atomic resolution. However, to make this demanding method a success, a number of experimental requirements have to be met. In this chapter, we summarize general guidelines and protocols towards performing time-resolved crystallography experiments, with a particular emphasis on sample requirements and preparation but also a brief excursion into reaction initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Mehrabi
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Eike C Schulz
- Max Planck Institute for Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany.
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
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18
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Schmidt M. Biological function investigated by time-resolved structure determination. STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS (MELVILLE, N.Y.) 2023; 10:010901. [PMID: 36846099 PMCID: PMC9946696 DOI: 10.1063/4.0000177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by recent progress in time-resolved x-ray crystallography and the adoption of time-resolution by cryo-electronmicroscopy, this article enumerates several approaches developed to become bigger/smaller, faster, and better to gain new insight into the molecular mechanisms of life. This is illustrated by examples where chemical and physical stimuli spawn biological responses on various length and time-scales, from fractions of Ångströms to micro-meters and from femtoseconds to hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Schmidt
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA
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19
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Vilela-Alves G, Manuel RR, Oliveira AR, Pereira IC, Romão MJ, Mota C. Tracking W-Formate Dehydrogenase Structural Changes During Catalysis and Enzyme Reoxidation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010476. [PMID: 36613918 PMCID: PMC9820355 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal-dependent formate dehydrogenases (Fdh) catalyze the reversible conversion of CO2 to formate, with unrivalled efficiency and selectivity. However, the key catalytic aspects of these enzymes remain unknown, preventing us from fully benefiting from their capabilities in terms of biotechnological applications. Here, we report a time-resolved characterization by X-ray crystallography of the Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough SeCys/W-Fdh during formate oxidation. The results allowed us to model five different intermediate structures and to chronologically map the changes occurring during enzyme reduction. Formate molecules were assigned for the first time to populate the catalytic pocket of a Fdh. Finally, the redox reversibility of DvFdhAB in crystals was confirmed by reduction and reoxidation structural studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Vilela-Alves
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Rita Rebelo Manuel
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Oliveira
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Inês Cardoso Pereira
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Maria João Romão
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristiano Mota
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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20
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Worrall JAR, Hough MA. Serial femtosecond crystallography approaches to understanding catalysis in iron enzymes. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 77:102486. [PMID: 36274419 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Enzymes with iron-containing active sites play crucial roles in catalysing a myriad of oxidative reactions essential to aerobic life. Defining the three-dimensional structures of iron enzymes in resting, oxy-bound intermediate and substrate-bound states is particularly challenging, not least because of the extreme susceptibility of the Fe(III) and Fe(IV) redox states to radiation-induced chemistry caused by intense X-ray or electron beams. The availability of novel sources such as X-ray free electron lasers has enabled structures that are effectively free of the effects of radiation-induced chemistry and allows time-resolved structures to be determined. Important to both applications is the ability to obtain in crystallo spectroscopic data to identify the redox state of the iron in any particular structure or timepoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A R Worrall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Michael A Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK; Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, UK.
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21
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Marinaro G, Graceffa R, Riekel C. Wall-free droplet microfluidics for probing biological processes by high-brilliance X-ray scattering techniques. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1049327. [DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1049327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we review probing biological processes initiated by the deposition of droplets on surfaces by micro- and nanobeam X-ray scattering techniques using synchrotron radiation and X-ray free-electron laser sources. We review probing droplet evaporation on superhydrophobic surfaces and reactions with substrates, basics of droplets deposition and flow simulations, droplet deposition techniques and practical experience at a synchrotron beamline. Selected applications with biological relevance will be reviewed and perspectives for the latest generation of high-brilliance X-ray sources discussed.
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22
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Smith N, Wilson MA. Understanding Cysteine Chemistry Using Conventional and Serial X-Ray Protein Crystallography. CRYSTALS 2022; 12:1671. [PMID: 36685087 PMCID: PMC9850494 DOI: 10.3390/cryst12111671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Proteins that use cysteine residues for catalysis or regulation are widely distributed and intensively studied, with many biomedically important examples. Enzymes where cysteine is a catalytic nucleophile typically generate covalent catalytic intermediates whose structures are important for understanding mechanism and for designing targeted inhibitors. The formation of catalytic intermediates can change enzyme conformational dynamics, sometimes activating protein motions that are important for catalytic turnover. However, these transiently populated intermediate species have been challenging to structurally characterize using traditional crystallographic approaches. This review describes the use and promise of new time-resolved serial crystallographic methods to study cysteine-dependent enzymes, with a focus on the main (Mpro) and papain-like (PLpro) cysteine proteases of SARS-CoV-2 as well as other examples. We review features of cysteine chemistry that are relevant for the design and execution of time-resolved serial crystallography experiments. In addition, we discuss emerging X-ray techniques such as time-resolved sulfur X-ray spectroscopy that may be able to detect changes in sulfur charge state and covalency during catalysis or regulatory modification. In summary, cysteine-dependent enzymes have features that make them especially attractive targets for new time-resolved serial crystallography approaches, which can reveal both changes to enzyme structure and dynamics during catalysis in crystalline samples.
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23
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Zielinski KA, Prester A, Andaleeb H, Bui S, Yefanov O, Catapano L, Henkel A, Wiedorn MO, Lorbeer O, Crosas E, Meyer J, Mariani V, Domaracky M, White TA, Fleckenstein H, Sarrou I, Werner N, Betzel C, Rohde H, Aepfelbacher M, Chapman HN, Perbandt M, Steiner RA, Oberthuer D. Rapid and efficient room-temperature serial synchrotron crystallography using the CFEL TapeDrive. IUCRJ 2022; 9:778-791. [PMID: 36381150 PMCID: PMC9634612 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252522010193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Serial crystallography at conventional synchrotron light sources (SSX) offers the possibility to routinely collect data at room temperature using micrometre-sized crystals of biological macromolecules. However, SSX data collection is not yet as routine and currently takes significantly longer than the standard rotation series cryo-crystallography. Thus, its use for high-throughput approaches, such as fragment-based drug screening, where the possibility to measure at physio-logical temperatures would be a great benefit, is impaired. On the way to high-throughput SSX using a conveyor belt based sample delivery system - the CFEL TapeDrive - with three different proteins of biological relevance (Klebsiella pneumoniae CTX-M-14 β-lactamase, Nectria haematococca xylanase GH11 and Aspergillus flavus urate oxidase), it is shown here that complete datasets can be collected in less than a minute and only minimal amounts of sample are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara A Zielinski
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Prester
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hina Andaleeb
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, University of Hamburg, c/o DESY, Building 22a, Notkestr. 85, 22603 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Soi Bui
- Randall Centre of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Oleksandr Yefanov
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lucrezia Catapano
- Randall Centre of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandra Henkel
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Max O. Wiedorn
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Olga Lorbeer
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eva Crosas
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Meyer
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Valerio Mariani
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Domaracky
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas A. White
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Holger Fleckenstein
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Iosifina Sarrou
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Werner
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, University of Hamburg, c/o DESY, Building 22a, Notkestr. 85, 22603 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Betzel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, University of Hamburg, c/o DESY, Building 22a, Notkestr. 85, 22603 Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Holger Rohde
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Aepfelbacher
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henry N. Chapman
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, University of Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Perbandt
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, University of Hamburg, c/o DESY, Building 22a, Notkestr. 85, 22603 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roberto A. Steiner
- Randall Centre of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via Ugo Bassi 58/B, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Dominik Oberthuer
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
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24
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Aplin C, Milano SK, Zielinski KA, Pollack L, Cerione RA. Evolving Experimental Techniques for Structure-Based Drug Design. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:6599-6607. [PMID: 36029222 PMCID: PMC10161966 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c04344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based drug design (SBDD) is a prominent method in rational drug development and has traditionally benefitted from the atomic models of protein targets obtained using X-ray crystallography at cryogenic temperatures. In this perspective, we highlight recent advances in the development of structural techniques that are capable of probing dynamic information about protein targets. First, we discuss advances in the field of X-ray crystallography including serial room-temperature crystallography as a method for obtaining high-resolution conformational dynamics of protein-inhibitor complexes. Next, we look at cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM), another high-resolution technique that has recently been used to study proteins and protein complexes that are too difficult to crystallize. Finally, we present small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as a potential high-throughput screening tool to identify inhibitors that target protein complexes and protein oligomerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Aplin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Shawn K Milano
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Kara A Zielinski
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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25
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Moreno-Chicano T, Carey LM, Axford D, Beale JH, Doak RB, Duyvesteyn HME, Ebrahim A, Henning RW, Monteiro DCF, Myles DA, Owada S, Sherrell DA, Straw ML, Šrajer V, Sugimoto H, Tono K, Tosha T, Tews I, Trebbin M, Strange RW, Weiss KL, Worrall JAR, Meilleur F, Owen RL, Ghiladi RA, Hough MA. Complementarity of neutron, XFEL and synchrotron crystallography for defining the structures of metalloenzymes at room temperature. IUCRJ 2022; 9:610-624. [PMID: 36071813 PMCID: PMC9438502 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252522006418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Room-temperature macromolecular crystallography allows protein structures to be determined under close-to-physiological conditions, permits dynamic freedom in protein motions and enables time-resolved studies. In the case of metalloenzymes that are highly sensitive to radiation damage, such room-temperature experiments can present challenges, including increased rates of X-ray reduction of metal centres and site-specific radiation-damage artefacts, as well as in devising appropriate sample-delivery and data-collection methods. It can also be problematic to compare structures measured using different crystal sizes and light sources. In this study, structures of a multifunctional globin, dehaloperoxidase B (DHP-B), obtained using several methods of room-temperature crystallographic structure determination are described and compared. Here, data were measured from large single crystals and multiple microcrystals using neutrons, X-ray free-electron laser pulses, monochromatic synchrotron radiation and polychromatic (Laue) radiation light sources. These approaches span a range of 18 orders of magnitude in measurement time per diffraction pattern and four orders of magnitude in crystal volume. The first room-temperature neutron structures of DHP-B are also presented, allowing the explicit identification of the hydrogen positions. The neutron data proved to be complementary to the serial femtosecond crystallography data, with both methods providing structures free of the effects of X-ray radiation damage when compared with standard cryo-crystallography. Comparison of these room-temperature methods demonstrated the large differences in sample requirements, data-collection time and the potential for radiation damage between them. With regard to the structure and function of DHP-B, despite the results being partly limited by differences in the underlying structures, new information was gained on the protonation states of active-site residues which may guide future studies of DHP-B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadeo Moreno-Chicano
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Leiah M. Carey
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204, USA
| | - Danny Axford
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - John H. Beale
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - R. Bruce Doak
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn
- Division of Structural Biology (STRUBI), University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Ali Ebrahim
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Robert W. Henning
- BioCARS, University of Chicago, Building 434B, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Diana C. F. Monteiro
- Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203-1102, USA
| | - Dean A. Myles
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Shigeki Owada
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Darren A. Sherrell
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Megan L. Straw
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Vukica Šrajer
- BioCARS, University of Chicago, Building 434B, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | | | - Kensuke Tono
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Takehiko Tosha
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Ivo Tews
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Trebbin
- Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203-1102, USA
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Richard W. Strange
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin L. Weiss
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jonathan A. R. Worrall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Flora Meilleur
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204, USA
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Robin L. Owen
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Reza A. Ghiladi
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204, USA
| | - Michael A. Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
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26
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Barends TR, Stauch B, Cherezov V, Schlichting I. Serial femtosecond crystallography. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:59. [PMID: 36643971 PMCID: PMC9833121 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFELs), new, high-throughput serial crystallography techniques for macromolecular structure determination have emerged. Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) and related methods provide possibilities beyond canonical, single-crystal rotation crystallography by mitigating radiation damage and allowing time-resolved studies with unprecedented temporal resolution. This primer aims to assist structural biology groups with little or no experience in serial crystallography planning and carrying out a successful SFX experiment. It discusses the background of serial crystallography and its possibilities. Microcrystal growth and characterization methods are discussed, alongside techniques for sample delivery and data processing. Moreover, it gives practical tips for preparing an experiment, what to consider and do during a beamtime and how to conduct the final data analysis. Finally, the Primer looks at various applications of SFX, including structure determination of membrane proteins, investigation of radiation damage-prone systems and time-resolved studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R.M. Barends
- Department for Biological Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Stauch
- Department of Chemistry, The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Department of Chemistry, The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ilme Schlichting
- Department for Biological Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany,
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27
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Lee K, Kim J, Baek S, Park J, Park S, Lee JL, Chung WK, Cho Y, Nam KH. Combination of an inject-and-transfer system for serial femtosecond crystallography. J Appl Crystallogr 2022; 55:813-822. [DOI: 10.1107/s1600576722005556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) enables the determination of room-temperature crystal structures of macromolecules with minimized radiation damage and provides time-resolved molecular dynamics by pump–probe or mix-and-inject experiments. In SFX, a variety of sample delivery methods with unique advantages have been developed and applied. The combination of existing sample delivery methods can enable a new approach to SFX data collection that combines the advantages of the individual methods. This study introduces a combined inject-and-transfer system (BITS) method for sample delivery in SFX experiments: a hybrid injection and fixed-target scanning method. BITS allows for solution samples to be reliably deposited on ultraviolet ozone (UVO)-treated polyimide films, at a minimum flow rate of 0.5 nl min−1, in both vertical and horizontal scanning modes. To utilize BITS in SFX experiments, lysozyme crystal samples were embedded in a viscous lard medium and injected at flow rates of 50–100 nl min−1 through a syringe needle onto a UVO-treated polyimide film, which was mounted on a fixed-target scan stage. The crystal samples deposited on the film were raster scanned with an X-ray free electron laser using a motion stage in both horizontal and vertical directions. Using the BITS method, the room-temperature structure of lysozyme was successfully determined at a resolution of 2.1 Å, and thus BITS could be utilized in future SFX experiments.
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28
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Malla TN, Schmidt M. Transient state measurements on proteins by time-resolved crystallography. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 74:102376. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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29
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Doppler D, Rabbani MT, Letrun R, Cruz Villarreal J, Kim DH, Gandhi S, Egatz-Gomez A, Sonker M, Chen J, Koua FHM, Yang J, Youssef M, Mazalova V, Bajt S, Shelby ML, Coleman MA, Wiedorn MO, Knoska J, Schön S, Sato T, Hunter MS, Hosseinizadeh A, Kuptiz C, Nazari R, Alvarez RC, Karpos K, Zaare S, Dobson Z, Discianno E, Zhang S, Zook JD, Bielecki J, de Wijn R, Round AR, Vagovic P, Kloos M, Vakili M, Ketawala GK, Stander NE, Olson TL, Morin K, Mondal J, Nguyen J, Meza-Aguilar JD, Kodis G, Vaiana S, Martin-Garcia JM, Mariani V, Schwander P, Schmidt M, Messerschmidt M, Ourmazd A, Zatsepin N, Weierstall U, Bruce BD, Mancuso AP, Grant T, Barty A, Chapman HN, Frank M, Fromme R, Spence JCH, Botha S, Fromme P, Kirian RA, Ros A. Co-flow injection for serial crystallography at X-ray free-electron lasers. J Appl Crystallogr 2022; 55:1-13. [PMID: 35153640 PMCID: PMC8805165 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576721011079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) is a powerful technique that exploits X-ray free-electron lasers to determine the structure of macro-molecules at room temperature. Despite the impressive exposition of structural details with this novel crystallographic approach, the methods currently available to introduce crystals into the path of the X-ray beam sometimes exhibit serious drawbacks. Samples requiring liquid injection of crystal slurries consume large quantities of crystals (at times up to a gram of protein per data set), may not be compatible with vacuum configurations on beamlines or provide a high background due to additional sheathing liquids present during the injection. Proposed and characterized here is the use of an immiscible inert oil phase to supplement the flow of sample in a hybrid microfluidic 3D-printed co-flow device. Co-flow generation is reported with sample and oil phases flowing in parallel, resulting in stable injection conditions for two different resin materials experimentally. A numerical model is presented that adequately predicts these flow-rate conditions. The co-flow generating devices reduce crystal clogging effects, have the potential to conserve protein crystal samples up to 95% and will allow degradation-free light-induced time-resolved SFX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diandra Doppler
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Mohammad T. Rabbani
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Jorvani Cruz Villarreal
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Dai Hyun Kim
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Sahir Gandhi
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Ana Egatz-Gomez
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Mukul Sonker
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Joe Chen
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Faisal H. M. Koua
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jayhow Yang
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Mohamed Youssef
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Victoria Mazalova
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Saša Bajt
- Hamburg Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Hamburg, Germany
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Megan L. Shelby
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, California, USA
| | - Matt A. Coleman
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, California, USA
| | - Max O. Wiedorn
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Juraj Knoska
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Silvan Schön
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Mark S. Hunter
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Ahmad Hosseinizadeh
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christopher Kuptiz
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Reza Nazari
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Roberto C. Alvarez
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Konstantinos Karpos
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Sahba Zaare
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Zachary Dobson
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Erin Discianno
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Shangji Zhang
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - James D. Zook
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | - Adam R. Round
- European XFEL, Schenefeld, Germany
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Patrik Vagovic
- European XFEL, Schenefeld, Germany
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Gihan K. Ketawala
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Natasha E. Stander
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Tien L. Olson
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Katherine Morin
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Jyotirmory Mondal
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jonathan Nguyen
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - José Domingo Meza-Aguilar
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- European XFEL, Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Gerdenis Kodis
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Sara Vaiana
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Jose M. Martin-Garcia
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, Institute of Physical Chemistry ‘Rocasolano’, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Valerio Mariani
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Schwander
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Marius Schmidt
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Marc Messerschmidt
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Abbas Ourmazd
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nadia Zatsepin
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Uwe Weierstall
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Barry D. Bruce
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Adrian P. Mancuso
- European XFEL, Schenefeld, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thomas Grant
- Department of Structural Biology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Anton Barty
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Data and Computing in Natural Science CDCS, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henry N. Chapman
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Frank
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, California, USA
| | - Raimund Fromme
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - John C. H. Spence
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Sabine Botha
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Petra Fromme
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Richard A. Kirian
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Alexandra Ros
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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30
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Nam KH. Beef tallow injection matrix for serial crystallography. Sci Rep 2022; 12:694. [PMID: 35027663 PMCID: PMC8758675 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04714-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Serial crystallography (SX) enables the visualization of the time-resolved molecular dynamics of macromolecular structures at room temperature while minimizing radiation damage. In SX experiments, the delivery of a large number of crystals into an X-ray interaction point in a serial and stable manner is key. Sample delivery using viscous medium maintains the stable injection stream at low flow rates, markedly reducing sample consumption compared with that of a liquid jet injector and is widely applied in SX experiments with low repetition rates. As the sample properties and experimental environment can affect the stability of the injection stream of a viscous medium, it is important to develop sample delivery media with various characteristics to optimize the experimental environment. In this study, a beef tallow injection matrix possessing a higher melting temperature than previously reported fat-based shortening and lard media was introduced as a sample delivery medium and applied to SX. Beef tallow was prepared by heat treating fats from cattle, followed by the removal of soluble impurities from the extract by phase separation. Beef tallow exhibited a very stable injection stream at room temperature and a flow rate of < 10 nL/min. The room-temperature structures of lysozyme and glucose isomerase embedded in beef tallow were successfully determined at 1.55 and 1.60 Å, respectively. The background scattering of beef tallow was higher than that of previously reported fat-based shortening and lard media but negligible for data processing. In conclusion, the beef tallow matrix can be employed for sample delivery in SX experiments conducted at temperatures exceeding room temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Hyun Nam
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea. .,POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea.
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31
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Schulz EC, Yorke BA, Pearson AR, Mehrabi P. Best practices for time-resolved serial synchrotron crystallography. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2022; 78:14-29. [PMID: 34981758 PMCID: PMC8725164 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798321011621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
With recent developments in X-ray sources, instrumentation and data-analysis tools, time-resolved crystallographic experiments, which were originally the preserve of a few expert groups, are becoming simpler and can be carried out at more radiation sources, and are thus increasingly accessible to a growing user base. However, these experiments are just that: discrete experiments, not just `data collections'. As such, careful planning and consideration of potential pitfalls is required to enable a successful experiment. Here, some of the key factors that should be considered during the planning and execution of a time-resolved structural study are outlined, with a particular focus on synchrotron-based experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike C. Schulz
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, HARBOR, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Briony A. Yorke
- School of Chemistry and Bioscience, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, United Kingdom
| | - Arwen R. Pearson
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, HARBOR, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, HARBOR, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pedram Mehrabi
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, HARBOR, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
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32
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Schmidt M. Macromolecular movies, storybooks written by nature. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:1191-1197. [PMID: 35059037 PMCID: PMC8724502 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00846-1] [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: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Twelve years ago, the first free electron laser for hard X-rays (XFEL), the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), came online. Due to the extreme brilliance and the ultrashort pulse duration of their X-ray radiation, XFELs are exceptionally well positioned to conduct time-resolved studies on biological macromolecules. Here, some of the pioneering experiments and recent results are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Schmidt
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211 USA
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33
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Pandey S, Calvey G, Katz AM, Malla TN, Koua FHM, Martin-Garcia JM, Poudyal I, Yang JH, Vakili M, Yefanov O, Zielinski KA, Bajt S, Awel S, Doerner K, Frank M, Gelisio L, Jernigan R, Kirkwood H, Kloos M, Koliyadu J, Mariani V, Miller MD, Mills G, Nelson G, Olmos JL, Sadri A, Sato T, Tolstikova A, Xu W, Ourmazd A, Spence JCH, Schwander P, Barty A, Chapman HN, Fromme P, Mancuso AP, Phillips GN, Bean R, Pollack L, Schmidt M. Observation of substrate diffusion and ligand binding in enzyme crystals using high-repetition-rate mix-and-inject serial crystallography. IUCRJ 2021; 8:878-895. [PMID: 34804542 PMCID: PMC8562667 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252521008125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Here, we illustrate what happens inside the catalytic cleft of an enzyme when substrate or ligand binds on single-millisecond timescales. The initial phase of the enzymatic cycle is observed with near-atomic resolution using the most advanced X-ray source currently available: the European XFEL (EuXFEL). The high repetition rate of the EuXFEL combined with our mix-and-inject technology enables the initial phase of ceftriaxone binding to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis β-lactamase to be followed using time-resolved crystallography in real time. It is shown how a diffusion coefficient in enzyme crystals can be derived directly from the X-ray data, enabling the determination of ligand and enzyme-ligand concentrations at any position in the crystal volume as a function of time. In addition, the structure of the irreversible inhibitor sulbactam bound to the enzyme at a 66 ms time delay after mixing is described. This demonstrates that the EuXFEL can be used as an important tool for biomedically relevant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj Pandey
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - George Calvey
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, 254 Clark Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Andrea M. Katz
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, 254 Clark Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Tek Narsingh Malla
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Faisal H. M. Koua
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jose M. Martin-Garcia
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
- Institute of Physical Chemistry Rocasolano, Spanish National Research Council, Calle de Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ishwor Poudyal
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Jay-How Yang
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | | | - Oleksandr Yefanov
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kara A. Zielinski
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, 254 Clark Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Sasa Bajt
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Salah Awel
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Frank
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Luca Gelisio
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Jernigan
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | | | - Marco Kloos
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | | | - Valerio Mariani
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - Mitchell D. Miller
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Grant Mills
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Garrett Nelson
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Jose L. Olmos
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Alireza Sadri
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tokushi Sato
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Alexandra Tolstikova
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Weijun Xu
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Abbas Ourmazd
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - John C. H. Spence
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Peter Schwander
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Anton Barty
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henry N. Chapman
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Petra Fromme
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Adrian P. Mancuso
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - George N. Phillips
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Richard Bean
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, 254 Clark Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Marius Schmidt
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
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Miyamoto RY, de Melo RR, de Mesquita Sampaio IL, de Sousa AS, Morais ER, Sargo CR, Zanphorlin LM. Paradigm shift in xylose isomerase usage: a novel scenario with distinct applications. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 42:693-712. [PMID: 34641740 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1962241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Isomerases are enzymes that induce physical changes in a molecule without affecting the original molecular formula. Among this class of enzymes, xylose isomerases (XIs) are the most studied to date, partly due to their extensive application in industrial processes to produce high-fructose corn sirups. In recent years, the need for sustainable initiatives has triggered efforts to improve the biobased economy through the use of renewable raw materials. In this context, D-xylose usage is crucial as it is the second-most abundant sugar in nature. The application of XIs in biotransforming xylose, enabling downstream metabolism in several microorganisms, is a smart strategy for ensuring a low-carbon footprint and producing several value-added biochemicals with broad industrial applications such as in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and polymer industries. Considering recent advancements that have expanded the range of applications of XIs, this review provides a comprehensive and concise overview of XIs, from their primary sources to the biochemical and structural features that influence their mechanisms of action. This comprehensive review may help address the challenges involved in XI applications in different industries and facilitate the exploitation of xylose bioprocesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Yuji Miyamoto
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCF), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Rodrigues de Melo
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Lobo de Mesquita Sampaio
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Faculty of Food Engineering (FEA), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Amanda Silva de Sousa
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Edvaldo Rodrigo Morais
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Faculty of Food Engineering (FEA), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Cintia Regina Sargo
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Leticia Maria Zanphorlin
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
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35
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Lučić M, Wilson MT, Svistunenko DA, Owen RL, Hough MA, Worrall JAR. Aspartate or arginine? Validated redox state X-ray structures elucidate mechanistic subtleties of Fe IV = O formation in bacterial dye-decolorizing peroxidases. J Biol Inorg Chem 2021; 26:743-761. [PMID: 34477969 PMCID: PMC8463360 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-021-01896-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Structure determination of proteins and enzymes by X-ray crystallography remains the most widely used approach to complement functional and mechanistic studies. Capturing the structures of intact redox states in metalloenzymes is critical for assigning the chemistry carried out by the metal in the catalytic cycle. Unfortunately, X-rays interact with protein crystals to generate solvated photoelectrons that can reduce redox active metals and hence change the coordination geometry and the coupled protein structure. Approaches to mitigate such site-specific radiation damage continue to be developed, but nevertheless application of such approaches to metalloenzymes in combination with mechanistic studies are often overlooked. In this review, we summarize our recent structural and kinetic studies on a set of three heme peroxidases found in the bacterium Streptomyces lividans that each belong to the dye decolourizing peroxidase (DyP) superfamily. Kinetically, each of these DyPs has a distinct reactivity with hydrogen peroxide. Through a combination of low dose synchrotron X-ray crystallography and zero dose serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography using an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL), high-resolution structures with unambiguous redox state assignment of the ferric and ferryl (FeIV = O) heme species have been obtained. Experiments using stopped-flow kinetics, solvent-isotope exchange and site-directed mutagenesis with this set of redox state validated DyP structures have provided the first comprehensive kinetic and structural framework for how DyPs can modulate their distal heme pocket Asp/Arg dyad to use either the Asp or the Arg to facilitate proton transfer and rate enhancement of peroxide heterolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Lučić
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Michael T Wilson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Dimitri A Svistunenko
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Robin L Owen
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Michael A Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Jonathan A R Worrall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK.
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36
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Clinger JA, Moreau DW, McLeod MJ, Holyoak T, Thorne RE. Millisecond mix-and-quench crystallography (MMQX) enables time-resolved studies of PEPCK with remote data collection. IUCRJ 2021; 8:784-792. [PMID: 34584739 PMCID: PMC8420759 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252521007053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Time-resolved crystallography of biomolecules in action has advanced rapidly as methods for serial crystallography have improved, but the large number of crystals and the complex experimental infrastructure that are required remain serious obstacles to its widespread application. Here, millisecond mix-and-quench crystallography (MMQX) has been developed, which yields millisecond time-resolved data using far fewer crystals and routine remote synchrotron data collection. To demonstrate the capabilities of MMQX, the conversion of oxaloacetic acid to phosphoenolpyruvate by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy-kinase (PEPCK) is observed with a time resolution of 40 ms. By lowering the entry barrier to time-resolved crystallography, MMQX should enable a broad expansion in structural studies of protein dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A. Clinger
- Physics Department, Cornell University, 142 Sciences Drive, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - David W. Moreau
- Physics Department, Cornell University, 142 Sciences Drive, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Matthew J. McLeod
- Physics Department, Cornell University, 142 Sciences Drive, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Todd Holyoak
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Robert E. Thorne
- Physics Department, Cornell University, 142 Sciences Drive, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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37
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Hough MA, Owen RL. Serial synchrotron and XFEL crystallography for studies of metalloprotein catalysis. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 71:232-238. [PMID: 34455163 PMCID: PMC8667872 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
An estimated half of all proteins contain a metal, with these being essential for a tremendous variety of biological functions. X-ray crystallography is the major method for obtaining structures at high resolution of these metalloproteins, but there are considerable challenges to obtain intact structures due to the effects of radiation damage. Serial crystallography offers the prospect of determining low-dose synchrotron or effectively damage free XFEL structures at room temperature and enables time-resolved or dose-resolved approaches. Complementary spectroscopic data can validate redox and or ligand states within metalloprotein crystals. In this opinion, we discuss developments in the application of serial crystallographic approaches to metalloproteins and comment on future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK.
| | - Robin L Owen
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK.
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38
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Brändén G, Neutze R. Advances and challenges in time-resolved macromolecular crystallography. Science 2021; 373:373/6558/eaba0954. [PMID: 34446579 DOI: 10.1126/science.aba0954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Conformational changes within biological macromolecules control a vast array of chemical reactions in living cells. Time-resolved crystallography can reveal time-dependent structural changes that occur within protein crystals, yielding chemical insights in unparalleled detail. Serial crystallography approaches developed at x-ray free-electron lasers are now routinely used for time-resolved diffraction studies of macromolecules. These techniques are increasingly being applied at synchrotron radiation sources and to a growing diversity of macromolecules. Here, we review recent progress in the field, including visualizing ultrafast structural changes that guide the initial trajectories of light-driven reactions as well as capturing biologically important conformational changes on slower time scales, for which bacteriorhodopsin and photosystem II are presented as illustrative case studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Brändén
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Richard Neutze
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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39
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Butryn A, Simon PS, Aller P, Hinchliffe P, Massad RN, Leen G, Tooke CL, Bogacz I, Kim IS, Bhowmick A, Brewster AS, Devenish NE, Brem J, Kamps JJAG, Lang PA, Rabe P, Axford D, Beale JH, Davy B, Ebrahim A, Orlans J, Storm SLS, Zhou T, Owada S, Tanaka R, Tono K, Evans G, Owen RL, Houle FA, Sauter NK, Schofield CJ, Spencer J, Yachandra VK, Yano J, Kern JF, Orville AM. An on-demand, drop-on-drop method for studying enzyme catalysis by serial crystallography. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4461. [PMID: 34294694 PMCID: PMC8298390 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24757-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Serial femtosecond crystallography has opened up many new opportunities in structural biology. In recent years, several approaches employing light-inducible systems have emerged to enable time-resolved experiments that reveal protein dynamics at high atomic and temporal resolutions. However, very few enzymes are light-dependent, whereas macromolecules requiring ligand diffusion into an active site are ubiquitous. In this work we present a drop-on-drop sample delivery system that enables the study of enzyme-catalyzed reactions in microcrystal slurries. The system delivers ligand solutions in bursts of multiple picoliter-sized drops on top of a larger crystal-containing drop inducing turbulent mixing and transports the mixture to the X-ray interaction region with temporal resolution. We demonstrate mixing using fluorescent dyes, numerical simulations and time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography, which show rapid ligand diffusion through microdroplets. The drop-on-drop method has the potential to be widely applicable to serial crystallography studies, particularly of enzyme reactions with small molecule substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Butryn
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, UK
| | - Philipp S Simon
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Pierre Aller
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, UK
| | - Philip Hinchliffe
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, UK
| | - Ramzi N Massad
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel Leen
- PolyPico Technologies Ltd, Unit 10, Airways Technology Park, Rathmacullig West, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Catherine L Tooke
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, UK
| | - Isabel Bogacz
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - In-Sik Kim
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Asmit Bhowmick
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Aaron S Brewster
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Jürgen Brem
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jos J A G Kamps
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Pauline A Lang
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Patrick Rabe
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Danny Axford
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - John H Beale
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Bradley Davy
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- School of Computing, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Ali Ebrahim
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Julien Orlans
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- UMR0203, Biologie Fonctionnelle, Insectes et Interactions, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, University of Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Selina L S Storm
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Outstation c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tiankun Zhou
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, UK
| | - Shigeki Owada
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Hyogo, Japan
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Rie Tanaka
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Hyogo, Japan
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kensuke Tono
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Hyogo, Japan
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Gwyndaf Evans
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Robin L Owen
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Frances A Houle
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas K Sauter
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - James Spencer
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, UK
| | - Vittal K Yachandra
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Junko Yano
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jan F Kern
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Allen M Orville
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK.
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, UK.
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40
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Nam KH, Cho Y. Stable sample delivery in a viscous medium via a polyimide-based single-channel microfluidic chip for serial crystallography. J Appl Crystallogr 2021. [DOI: 10.1107/s1600576721005720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Serial crystallography (SX) provides room-temperature crystal structures with minimal radiation damage and facilitates the comprehension of molecular dynamics through time-resolved studies. In SX experiments, it is important to deliver a large number of crystal samples to the X-ray interaction point in a serial and stable manner. The advantage of crystal delivery in a viscous medium via a capillary is the ability to deliver all of the crystal samples to the X-ray interaction point at a low flow rate; however, the capillary often breaks during handling and high X-ray absorption can occur at low energy states. This study aimed to develop a stable system for sample delivery in a viscous medium via a polyimide-based single-channel microfluidic (PSM) chip for SX. Since this microfluidic chip comprises a polyimide film, it has high tensile strength and higher X-ray transmittance than a quartz capillary. The PSM chip was connected to a syringe containing the microcrystals embedded in viscous medium. The channel of the PSM chip was aligned to the X-ray path, and the viscous medium containing lysozyme crystals was stably delivered using a syringe pump at a flow rate of 100 nl min−1. Room-temperature lysozyme crystal structures were successfully determined at 1.85 Å resolution. This method would greatly facilitate sample delivery for SX experiments using synchrotron X-rays.
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Polyimide mesh-based sample holder with irregular crystal mounting holes for fixed-target serial crystallography. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13115. [PMID: 34162965 PMCID: PMC8222285 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92687-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The serial crystallography (SX) technique enables the determination of the room-temperature structure of a macromolecule while causing minimal radiation damage, as well as the visualization of the molecular dynamics by time-resolved studies. The fixed-target (FT) scanning approach is one method for SX sample delivery that minimizes sample consumption and minimizes physical damage to crystals during data collection. Settling of the crystals on the sample holder in random orientation is important for complete three dimensional data collection. To increase the random orientation of crystals on the sample holder, we developed a polyimide mesh-based sample holder with irregular crystal mounting holes for FT-SX. The polyimide mesh was fabricated using a picosecond laser. Each hole in the polyimide mesh has irregularly shaped holes because of laser thermal damage, which may cause more crystals to settle at random orientations compared to regular shaped sample holders. A crystal sample was spread onto a polyimide-mesh, and a polyimide film was added to both sides to prevent dehydration. Using this sample holder, FT-SX was performed at synchrotron and determined the room-temperature lysozyme structure at 1.65 Å. The polyimide mesh with irregularly shaped holes will allow for expanded applications in sample delivery for FT-SX experiments.
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Norton-Baker B, Mehrabi P, Boger J, Schönherr R, von Stetten D, Schikora H, Kwok AO, Martin RW, Miller RJD, Redecke L, Schulz EC. A simple vapor-diffusion method enables protein crystallization inside the HARE serial crystallography chip. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2021; 77:820-834. [PMID: 34076595 PMCID: PMC8171066 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798321003855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fixed-target serial crystallography has become an important method for the study of protein structure and dynamics at synchrotrons and X-ray free-electron lasers. However, sample homogeneity, consumption and the physical stress on samples remain major challenges for these high-throughput experiments, which depend on high-quality protein microcrystals. The batch crystallization procedures that are typically applied require time- and sample-intensive screening and optimization. Here, a simple protein crystallization method inside the features of the HARE serial crystallography chips is reported that circumvents batch crystallization and allows the direct transfer of canonical vapor-diffusion conditions to in-chip crystallization. Based on conventional hanging-drop vapor-diffusion experiments, the crystallization solution is distributed into the wells of the HARE chip and equilibrated against a reservoir with mother liquor. Using this simple method, high-quality microcrystals were generated with sufficient density for the structure determination of four different proteins. A new protein variant was crystallized using the protein concentrations encountered during canonical crystallization experiments, enabling structure determination from ∼55 µg of protein. Additionally, structure determination from intracellular crystals grown in insect cells cultured directly in the features of the HARE chips is demonstrated. In cellulo crystallization represents a comparatively unexplored space in crystallization, especially for proteins that are resistant to crystallization using conventional techniques, and eliminates any need for laborious protein purification. This in-chip technique avoids harvesting the sensitive crystals or any further physical handling of the crystal-containing cells. These proof-of-principle experiments indicate the potential of this method to become a simple alternative to batch crystallization approaches and also as a convenient extension to canonical crystallization screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna Norton-Baker
- Department for Atomically Resolved Dynamics, Max-Planck-Institute for Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, USA
| | - Pedram Mehrabi
- Department for Atomically Resolved Dynamics, Max-Planck-Institute for Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, HARBOR, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Boger
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Robert Schönherr
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Photon Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - David von Stetten
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit c/o Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Schikora
- Scientific Support Unit Machine Physics, Max-Planck-Institute for Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ashley O. Kwok
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, USA
| | - Rachel W. Martin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
| | - R. J. Dwayne Miller
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Jungiusstrasse 9, 20355 Hamburg, Germany
- Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Toronto, 80 St George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Lars Redecke
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Photon Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eike C. Schulz
- Department for Atomically Resolved Dynamics, Max-Planck-Institute for Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, HARBOR, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
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43
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Protein Dynamics and Time Resolved Protein Crystallography at Synchrotron Radiation Sources: Past, Present and Future. CRYSTALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst11050521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The ultrabright and ultrashort pulses produced at X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) has enabled studies of crystallized molecular machines at work under ‘native’ conditions at room temperature by the so-called time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography (TR-SFX) technique. Since early TR-SFX experiments were conducted at XFELs, it has been largely reported in the literature that time-resolved X-ray experiments at synchrotrons are no longer feasible or are impractical due to the severe technical limitations of these radiation sources. The transfer of the serial crystallography approach to newest synchrotrons upgraded for higher flux density and with beamlines using sophisticated focusing optics, submicron beam diameters and fast low-noise photon-counting detectors offers a way to overcome these difficulties opening new and exciting possibilities. In fact, there is an increasing amount of publications reporting new findings in structural dynamics of protein macromolecules by using time resolved crystallography from microcrystals at synchrotron sources. This review gathers information to provide an overview of the recent work and the advances made in this filed in the past years, as well as outlines future perspectives at the next generation of synchrotron sources and the upcoming compact pulsed X-ray sources.
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Mehrabi P, Bücker R, Bourenkov G, Ginn HM, von Stetten D, Müller-Werkmeister HM, Kuo A, Morizumi T, Eger BT, Ou WL, Oghbaey S, Sarracini A, Besaw JE, Pare-Labrosse O, Meier S, Schikora H, Tellkamp F, Marx A, Sherrell DA, Axford D, Owen RL, Ernst OP, Pai EF, Schulz EC, Miller RJD. Serial femtosecond and serial synchrotron crystallography can yield data of equivalent quality: A systematic comparison. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/12/eabf1380. [PMID: 33731353 PMCID: PMC7968842 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf1380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
For the two proteins myoglobin and fluoroacetate dehalogenase, we present a systematic comparison of crystallographic diffraction data collected by serial femtosecond (SFX) and serial synchrotron crystallography (SSX). To maximize comparability, we used the same batch of micron-sized crystals, the same sample delivery device, and the same data analysis software. Overall figures of merit indicate that the data of both radiation sources are of equivalent quality. For both proteins, reasonable data statistics can be obtained with approximately 5000 room-temperature diffraction images irrespective of the radiation source. The direct comparability of SSX and SFX data indicates that the quality of diffraction data obtained from these samples is linked to the properties of the crystals rather than to the radiation source. Therefore, for other systems with similar properties, time-resolved experiments can be conducted at the radiation source that best matches the desired time resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mehrabi
- Department for Atomically Resolved Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
- Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Ontario Cancer Institute, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - R Bücker
- Department for Atomically Resolved Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - G Bourenkov
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Outstation c/o Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Notkestraße 85, D-22603 Hamburg, Germany
| | - H M Ginn
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - D von Stetten
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Outstation c/o Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Notkestraße 85, D-22603 Hamburg, Germany
| | - H M Müller-Werkmeister
- Institute of Chemistry-Physical Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - A Kuo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - T Morizumi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - B T Eger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - W-L Ou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - S Oghbaey
- Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - A Sarracini
- Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - J E Besaw
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - O Pare-Labrosse
- Department for Atomically Resolved Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - S Meier
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Jungiusstrasse 9, 20355 Hamburg, Germany
| | - H Schikora
- Scientific Support Unit Machine Physics, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - F Tellkamp
- Scientific Support Unit Machine Physics, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Marx
- Department for Atomically Resolved Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - D A Sherrell
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA
| | - D Axford
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - R L Owen
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - O P Ernst
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - E F Pai
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
- Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Ontario Cancer Institute, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - E C Schulz
- Department for Atomically Resolved Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany.
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - R J D Miller
- Department for Atomically Resolved Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Jungiusstrasse 9, 20355 Hamburg, Germany
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Stohrer C, Horrell S, Meier S, Sans M, von Stetten D, Hough M, Goldman A, Monteiro DCF, Pearson AR. Homogeneous batch micro-crystallization of proteins from ammonium sulfate. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2021; 77:194-204. [PMID: 33559608 PMCID: PMC7869895 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798320015454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers has led to the development of serial macromolecular crystallography techniques, making it possible to study smaller and more challenging crystal systems and to perform time-resolved studies on fast time scales. For most of these studies the desired crystal size is limited to a few micrometres, and the generation of large amounts of nanocrystals or microcrystals of defined size has become a bottleneck for the wider implementation of these techniques. Despite this, methods to reliably generate microcrystals and fine-tune their size have been poorly explored. Working with three different enzymes, L-aspartate α-decarboxylase, copper nitrite reductase and copper amine oxidase, the precipitating properties of ammonium sulfate were exploited to quickly transition from known vapour-diffusion conditions to reproducible, large-scale batch crystallization, circumventing the tedious determination of phase diagrams. Furthermore, the specific ammonium sulfate concentration was used to fine-tune the crystal size and size distribution. Ammonium sulfate is a common precipitant in protein crystallography, making these findings applicable to many crystallization systems to facilitate the production of large amounts of microcrystals for serial macromolecular crystallography experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Stohrer
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Horrell
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Meier
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marta Sans
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - David von Stetten
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Unit c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Diana C. F. Monteiro
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Arwen R. Pearson
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
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46
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Analysis of Multi-Hit Crystals in Serial Synchrotron Crystallography Experiments Using High-Viscosity Injectors. CRYSTALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst11010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Serial Synchrotron Crystallography (SSX) is rapidly emerging as a promising technique for collecting data for time-resolved structural studies or for performing room temperature micro-crystallography measurements using micro-focused beamlines. SSX is often performed using high frame rate detectors in combination with continuous sample scanning or high-viscosity or liquid jet injectors. When performed using ultra-bright X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) sources serial crystallography typically involves a process known as ’diffract-and-destroy’ where each crystal is measured just once before it is destroyed by the intense XFEL pulse. In SSX, however, particularly when using high-viscosity injectors (HVIs) such as Lipidico, the crystal can be intercepted multiple times by the X-ray beam prior to exiting the interaction region. This has a number of important consequences for SSX including whether these multiple-hits can be incorporated into the data analysis or whether they need to be excluded due to the potential impact of radiation damage. Here, we investigate the occurrence and characteristics of multiple hits on single crystals using SSX with lipidico. SSX data are collected from crystals as they tumble within a high viscous stream of silicone grease flowing through a micro-focused X-ray beam. We confirmed that, using the Eiger 16M, we are able to collect up to 42 frames of data from the same single crystal prior to it leaving the X-ray interaction region. The frequency and occurrence of multiple hits may be controlled by varying the sample flow rate and X-ray beam size. Calculations of the absorbed dose confirm that these crystals are likely to undergo radiation damage but that nonetheless incorporating multiple hits into damage-free data should lead to a significant reduction in the number of crystals required for structural analysis when compared to just looking at a single diffraction pattern from each crystal.
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47
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Abstract
X-ray crystallography enables detailed structural studies of proteins to understand and modulate their function. Conducting crystallographic experiments at cryogenic temperatures has practical benefits but potentially limits the identification of functionally important alternative protein conformations that can be revealed only at room temperature (RT). This review discusses practical aspects of preparing, acquiring, and analyzing X-ray crystallography data at RT to demystify preconceived impracticalities that freeze progress of routine RT data collection at synchrotron sources. Examples are presented as conceptual and experimental templates to enable the design of RT-inspired studies; they illustrate the diversity and utility of gaining novel insights into protein conformational landscapes. An integrative view of protein conformational dynamics enables opportunities to advance basic and biomedical research.
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48
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Dynamic Structural Biology Experiments at XFEL or Synchrotron Sources. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2305:203-228. [PMID: 33950392 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1406-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Macromolecular crystallography (MX) leverages the methods of physics and the language of chemistry to reveal fundamental insights into biology. Often beautifully artistic images present MX results to support profound functional hypotheses that are vital to entire life science research community. Over the past several decades, synchrotrons around the world have been the workhorses for X-ray diffraction data collection at many highly automated beamlines. The newest tools include X-ray-free electron lasers (XFELs) located at facilities in the USA, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, and Germany that deliver about nine orders of magnitude higher brightness in discrete femtosecond long pulses. At each of these facilities, new serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) strategies exploit slurries of micron-size crystals by rapidly delivering individual crystals into the XFEL X-ray interaction region, from which one diffraction pattern is collected per crystal before it is destroyed by the intense X-ray pulse. Relatively simple adaptions to SFX methods produce time-resolved data collection strategies wherein reactions are triggered by visible light illumination or by chemical diffusion/mixing. Thus, XFELs provide new opportunities for high temporal and spatial resolution studies of systems engaged in function at physiological temperature. In this chapter, we summarize various issues related to microcrystal slurry preparation, sample delivery into the X-ray interaction region, and some emerging strategies for time-resolved SFX data collection.
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49
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Calvey GD, Katz AM, Zielinski KA, Dzikovski B, Pollack L. Characterizing Enzyme Reactions in Microcrystals for Effective Mix-and-Inject Experiments using X-ray Free-Electron Lasers. Anal Chem 2020; 92:13864-13870. [PMID: 32955854 PMCID: PMC8367009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c02569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mix-and-inject serial crystallography is an emerging technique that utilizes X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) and microcrystalline samples to capture atomically detailed snapshots of biomolecules as they function. Early experiments have yielded exciting results; however, there are limited options to characterize reactions in crystallo in advance of the beamtime. Complementary measurements are needed to identify the best conditions and timescales for observing structural intermediates. Here, we describe the interface of XFEL compatible mixing injectors with rapid freeze-quenching and X-band EPR spectroscopy, permitting characterization of reactions in crystals under the same conditions as an XFEL experiment. We demonstrate this technology by tracking the reaction of azide with microcrystalline myoglobin, using only a fraction of the sample required for a mix-and-inject experiment. This spectroscopic method enables optimization of sample and mixer conditions to maximize the populations of intermediate states, eliminating the guesswork of current mix-and-inject experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D Calvey
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Andrea M Katz
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Kara A Zielinski
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Boris Dzikovski
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and National Biomedical Center for Advanced ESR Technology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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50
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Hough MA, Conradie J, Strange RW, Antonyuk SV, Eady RR, Ghosh A, Hasnain SS. Nature of the copper-nitrosyl intermediates of copper nitrite reductases during catalysis. Chem Sci 2020; 11:12485-12492. [PMID: 34094452 PMCID: PMC8163067 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc04797j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The design and synthesis of copper complexes that can reduce nitrite to NO has attracted considerable interest. They have been guided by the structural information on the catalytic Cu centre of the widespread enzymes Cu nitrite reductases but the chemically novel side-on binding of NO observed in all crystallographic studies of these enzymes has been questioned in terms of its functional relevance. We show conversion of NO2− to NO in the crystal maintained at 170 K and present ‘molecular movies’ defining events during enzyme turnover including the formation of side-on Cu-NO intermediate. DFT modelling suggests that both true {CuNO}11 and formal {CuNO}10 states may occur as side-on forms in an enzymatic active site with the stability of the {CuNO}10 side-on form governed by the protonation state of the histidine ligands. Formation of a copper-nitrosyl intermediate thus needs to be accommodated in future design templates for functional synthetic Cu-NiR complexes. Observation of side-on copper-nitrosyl intermediate and its confirmation by DFT during catalysis of copper nitrite reductases.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQW UK
| | - Jeanet Conradie
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State PO Box 339 Bloemfontein South Africa.,Department of Chemistry, UiT, The Arctic University of Tromsø 9037 Tromsø Norway
| | - Richard W Strange
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQW UK
| | - Svetlana V Antonyuk
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 7ZB UK
| | - Robert R Eady
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 7ZB UK
| | - Abhik Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, UiT, The Arctic University of Tromsø 9037 Tromsø Norway
| | - S Samar Hasnain
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 7ZB UK
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