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Liang F, Sun M, Xie L, Zhao X, Liu D, Zhao K, Zhang G. Recent advances and challenges in protein complex model accuracy estimation. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:1824-1832. [PMID: 38707538 PMCID: PMC11066466 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Estimation of model accuracy plays a crucial role in protein structure prediction, aiming to evaluate the quality of predicted protein structure models accurately and objectively. This process is not only key to screening candidate models that are close to the real structure, but also provides guidance for further optimization of protein structures. With the significant advancements made by AlphaFold2 in monomer structure, the problem of single-domain protein structure prediction has been widely solved. Correspondingly, the importance of assessing the quality of single-domain protein models decreased, and the research focus has shifted to estimation of model accuracy of protein complexes. In this review, our goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the reference and statistical metrics, as well as representative methods, and the current challenges within four distinct facets (Topology Global Score, Interface Total Score, Interface Residue-Wise Score, and Tertiary Residue-Wise Score) in the field of complex EMA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lei Xie
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Xuanfeng Zhao
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Dong Liu
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Kailong Zhao
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Guijun Zhang
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
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2
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Nakonieczna A, Topolska-Woś A, Łobocka M. New bacteriophage-derived lysins, LysJ and LysF, with the potential to control Bacillus anthracis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:76. [PMID: 38194144 PMCID: PMC10776502 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12839-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is an etiological agent of anthrax, a severe zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to people and cause high mortalities. Bacteriophages and their lytic enzymes, endolysins, have potential therapeutic value in treating infections caused by this bacterium as alternatives or complements to antibiotic therapy. They can also be used to identify and detect B. anthracis. Endolysins of two B. anthracis Wbetavirus phages, J5a and F16Ba which were described by us recently, differ significantly from the best-known B. anthracis phage endolysin PlyG from Wbetavirus genus bacteriophage Gamma and a few other Wbetavirus genus phages. They are larger than PlyG (351 vs. 233 amino acid residues), contain a signal peptide at their N-termini, and, by prediction, have a different fold of cell binding domain suggesting different structural basis of cell epitope recognition. We purified in a soluble form the modified versions of these endolysins, designated by us LysJ and LysF, respectively, and depleted of signal peptides. Both modified endolysins could lyse the B. anthracis cell wall in zymogram assays. Their activity against the living cells of B. anthracis and other species of Bacillus genus was tested by spotting on the layers of bacteria in soft agar and by assessing the reduction of optical density of bacterial suspensions. Both methods proved the effectiveness of LysJ and LysF in killing the anthrax bacilli, although the results obtained by each method differed. Additionally, the lytic efficiency of both proteins was different, which apparently correlates with differences in their amino acid sequence. KEY POINTS: • LysJ and LysF are B. anthracis-targeting lysins differing from lysins studied so far • LysJ and LysF could be overproduced in E. coli in soluble and active forms • LysJ and LysF are active in killing cells of B. anthracis virulent strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Nakonieczna
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | | | - Małgorzata Łobocka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
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Diniz EADS, da Silva DP, Ferreira SDS, Fernandes-Pedrosa MDF, Vieira DS. Temperature effect in the inhibition of PLA 2 activity of Bothrops brazili venom by Rosmarinic and Chlorogenic acids, experimental and computational approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:5238-5252. [PMID: 37378497 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2226912] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Myotoxicity caused by snakebite envenoming emerges as one of the main problems of ophidic accidents as it is not well neutralized by the current serum therapy. A promising alternative is to search for efficient small molecule inhibitors that can act against multiple venom components. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is frequently found in snake venom and is usually associated with myotoxicity. Thus it represents an excellent target for the search of new treatments. This work reports the effect of temperature in the inhibition of catalytic properties of PLA2 from Bothrops brazili venom by Rosmarinic (RSM) and Chlorogenic (CHL) acids through experimental and computational approaches. Three temperatures were evaluated (25, 37 and 50 °C). In the experimental section, enzymatic assays showed that RSM is a better inhibitor in all three temperatures. At 50 °C, the inhibition efficiency decayed significantly for both acids. Docking studies revealed that both ligands bind to the hydrophobic channel of the protein dimer where the phospholipid binds in the catalytic process, interacting with several functional residues. In this context, RSM presents better interaction energies due to stronger interactions with chain B of the dimer. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that RSM can establish selective interactions with ARG112B of PLA2, which is located next to residues of the putative Membrane Disruption Site in PLA2-like structures. The affinity of RSM and CHL acids towards PLA2 is mainly driven by electrostatic interactions, especially salt bridge interactions established with residues ARG33B (for CHL) and ARG112B (RSM) and hydrogen bonds with residue ASP89A. The inability of CHL to establish a stable interaction with ARG112B was identified as the reason for its lower inhibition efficiency compared to RSM at the three temperatures. Furthermore, extensive structural analysis was performed to explain the lower inhibition efficiency at 50 °C for both ligands. The analysis performed in this work provides important information for the future design of new inhibitors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana Pontes da Silva
- Laboratory of Technology and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Tecbiofar), College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenue General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, Petrópolis, Natal, Brazil
| | - Sarah de Sousa Ferreira
- Laboratory of Technology and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Tecbiofar), College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenue General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, Petrópolis, Natal, Brazil
| | - Matheus de Freitas Fernandes-Pedrosa
- Laboratory of Technology and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Tecbiofar), College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenue General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, Petrópolis, Natal, Brazil
| | - Davi Serradella Vieira
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av Senador Salgado Filho, Natal-RN, Brazil
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Siciliano AJ, Zhao C, Liu T, Wang Z. EGG: Accuracy Estimation of Individual Multimeric Protein Models Using Deep Energy-Based Models and Graph Neural Networks. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6250. [PMID: 38892437 PMCID: PMC11173161 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Reliable and accurate methods of estimating the accuracy of predicted protein models are vital to understanding their respective utility. Discerning how the quaternary structure conforms can significantly improve our collective understanding of cell biology, systems biology, disease formation, and disease treatment. Accurately determining the quality of multimeric protein models is still computationally challenging, as the space of possible conformations is significantly larger when proteins form in complex with one another. Here, we present EGG (energy and graph-based architectures) to assess the accuracy of predicted multimeric protein models. We implemented message-passing and transformer layers to infer the overall fold and interface accuracy scores of predicted multimeric protein models. When evaluated with CASP15 targets, our methods achieved promising results against single model predictors: fourth and third place for determining the highest-quality model when estimating overall fold accuracy and overall interface accuracy, respectively, and first place for determining the top three highest quality models when estimating both overall fold accuracy and overall interface accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jordan Siciliano
- Department of Computer Science, University of Miami, 1365 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA; (A.J.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Chenguang Zhao
- Computer Information Sciences Department, St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust Street, Davenport, IA 52803, USA;
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Computer Science, University of Miami, 1365 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA; (A.J.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Miami, 1365 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA; (A.J.S.); (T.L.)
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Ma H, Kennard A, Mattson N, Khan AS. Characterization of Sf9 cell clones with differential susceptibilities to Sf-rhabdovirus X +3.7 and Sf-rhabdovirus X - replication. Virology 2024; 594:110038. [PMID: 38471199 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110038] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Our laboratory previously discovered a novel rhabdovirus in the Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 insect cell line that was designated as Sf-rhabdovirus. Using limiting dilution, this cell line was found to be a mixed population of cells infected by Sf-rhabdovirus variants containing either the full length X accessory gene with a 3.7 kb internal duplication (designated as Sf-rhabdovirus X+3.7) or lacking the duplication and part of the X gene (designated as Sf-rhabdovirus X-), and cells that were negative for Sf-rhabdovirus. In this paper, we found that the Sf-rhabdovirus negative cell clones had sub-populations with different susceptibilities to the replication of Sf-rhabdovirus X+3.7 and X- variants: cell clone Sf9-13F12 was more sensitive to replication by both virus variants compared to Sf9-3003; moreover, Sf9-3003 showed more resistance to X+3.7 replication than to X- replication. RNA-Seq analysis indicated significant differentially expressed genes in the Sf9-13F12 and Sf9-3003 cell clones further supporting that distinct sub-populations of virus-negative cells co-exist in the parent Sf9 cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailun Ma
- Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Andrea Kennard
- Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Nicholas Mattson
- Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Arifa S Khan
- Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA.
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Bouqellah NA, Hussein ET, Abdel Razik AB, Ahmed MF, Faraag AHI. Development of transgenic Paulownia trees expressing antimicrobial thionin genes for enhanced resistance to fungal infections using chitosan nanoparticles. Microb Pathog 2024; 191:106659. [PMID: 38701959 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106659] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
There is an increasing focus on genetically altering Paulownia trees to enhance their resistance against fungal infections, given their rapid growth and quality wood production. The aim of this research was to establish a technique for incorporating two antimicrobial thionin genes, namely thionin-60 (thio-60) and thionin-63 (thio-63), into Paulownia tomentosa and Paulownia hybrid 9501 through the utilization of chitosan nanoparticles. The outcomes revealed the successful gene transfer into Paulownia trees utilizing chitosan nanoparticles. The effectiveness of thionin proteins against plant pathogens Fusarium and Aspergillus was examined, with a specific focus on Fusarium equiseti due to limited available data. In non-transgenic Paulownia species, the leaf weight inhibition percentage varied from 25 to 36 %, whereas in transgenic species, it ranged from 22 to 7 %. In general, Paulownia species expressing thio-60 displayed increased resistance to F. equiseti, while those expressing thio-63 exhibited heightened resistance to A. niger infection. The thionin proteins displayed a strong affinity for the phospholipid bilayer of the fungal cell membrane, demonstrating their capability to disrupt its structure. The transgenic plants created through this technique showed increased resistance to fungal infections. Thionin-60 demonstrated superior antifungal properties in comparison to thio-63, being more effective at disturbing the fungal cell membrane. These findings indicate that thio-60 holds potential as a novel antifungal agent and presents a promising approach for enhancing the antimicrobial traits of genetically modified Paulownia trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahla Alsayd Bouqellah
- Taibah University, Science College, Biology Department, 42317- 8599, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Eman Tawfik Hussein
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed Fathy Ahmed
- Dry and Saline Farming Technology, Arid Land Agricultural Graduate Studies and Research Institute, Ain Shams University, 11566, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Hassan Ibrahim Faraag
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Egypt; School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo, 11829, Egypt.
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Chen X, Liu J, Park N, Cheng J. A Survey of Deep Learning Methods for Estimating the Accuracy of Protein Quaternary Structure Models. Biomolecules 2024; 14:574. [PMID: 38785981 PMCID: PMC11117562 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The quality prediction of quaternary structure models of a protein complex, in the absence of its true structure, is known as the Estimation of Model Accuracy (EMA). EMA is useful for ranking predicted protein complex structures and using them appropriately in biomedical research, such as protein-protein interaction studies, protein design, and drug discovery. With the advent of more accurate protein complex (multimer) prediction tools, such as AlphaFold2-Multimer and ESMFold, the estimation of the accuracy of protein complex structures has attracted increasing attention. Many deep learning methods have been developed to tackle this problem; however, there is a noticeable absence of a comprehensive overview of these methods to facilitate future development. Addressing this gap, we present a review of deep learning EMA methods for protein complex structures developed in the past several years, analyzing their methodologies, data and feature construction. We also provide a prospective summary of some potential new developments for further improving the accuracy of the EMA methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Nolan Park
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jianlin Cheng
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Finke F, Hungerland J, Solov'yov IA, Schuhmann F. Different receptor models show differences in ligand binding strength and location: a computational drug screening for the tick-borne encephalitis virus. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-024-10850-8. [PMID: 38739227 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-024-10850-8] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE) is a neurotrophic disease that has spread more rapidly throughout Europe and Asia in the past few years. At the same time, no cure or specific therapy is known to battle the illness apart from vaccination. To find a pharmacologically relevant drug, a computer-aided drug screening was initiated. Such a procedure probes a possible binding of a drug to the RNA Polymerase of TBE. The crystal structure of the receptor, however, includes missing and partially modeled regions, which rendered the structure incomplete and of questionable use for a thorough drug screening procedure. The quality of the receptor model was addressed by studying three putative structures created. We show that the choice of receptor models greatly influences the binding affinity of potential drug molecules and that the binding location could also be significantly impacted. We demonstrate that some drug candidates are unsuitable for one model but show decent results for another. Without any prejudice on the three employed receptor models, the study reveals the imperative need to investigate the receptor structure before drug binding is probed whether experimentally or computationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicitas Finke
- Institute of Physics, Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jonathan Hungerland
- Institute of Physics, Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ilia A Solov'yov
- Institute of Physics, Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany.
- Research Centre for Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany.
- Center for Nanoscale Dynamics (CENAD), Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Ammerländer Heerstr. 114-118, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Fabian Schuhmann
- Niels Bohr International Academy, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Huang M, Liu W, Qin C, Xu Y, Zhou X, Wen Q, Ma W, Huang Y, Chen X. Copper Resistance Mechanism and Copper Response Genes in Corynebacterium crenatum. Microorganisms 2024; 12:951. [PMID: 38792781 PMCID: PMC11124244 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050951] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Heavy metal resistance mechanisms and heavy metal response genes are crucial for microbial utilization in heavy metal remediation. Here, Corynebacterium crenatum was proven to possess good tolerance in resistance to copper. Then, the transcriptomic responses to copper stress were investigated, and the vital pathways and genes involved in copper resistance of C. crenatum were determined. Based on transcriptome analysis results, a total of nine significantly upregulated DEGs related to metal ion transport were selected for further study. Among them, GY20_RS0100790 and GY20_RS0110535 belong to transcription factors, and GY20_RS0110270, GY20_RS0100790, and GY20_RS0110545 belong to copper-binding peptides. The two transcription factors were studied for the function of regulatory gene expression. The three copper-binding peptides were displayed on the C. crenatum surface for a copper adsorption test. Furthermore, the nine related metal ion transport genes were deleted to investigate the effect on growth in copper stress. This investigation provided the basis for utilizing C. crenatum in copper bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Huang
- National R&D Center of Freshwater Fish Processing, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (M.H.); (W.L.); (Y.H.)
- School of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (C.Q.); (Y.X.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Wenxin Liu
- National R&D Center of Freshwater Fish Processing, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (M.H.); (W.L.); (Y.H.)
- School of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (C.Q.); (Y.X.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Chunyan Qin
- School of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (C.Q.); (Y.X.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Yang Xu
- School of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (C.Q.); (Y.X.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Xu Zhou
- School of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (C.Q.); (Y.X.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Qunwei Wen
- School of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (C.Q.); (Y.X.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Wenbin Ma
- School of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (C.Q.); (Y.X.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Yanzi Huang
- National R&D Center of Freshwater Fish Processing, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (M.H.); (W.L.); (Y.H.)
- School of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (C.Q.); (Y.X.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Xuelan Chen
- National R&D Center of Freshwater Fish Processing, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (M.H.); (W.L.); (Y.H.)
- School of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (C.Q.); (Y.X.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.); (W.M.)
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Ridgway H, Moore GJ, Gadanec LK, Zulli A, Apostolopoulos V, Hoffmann W, Węgrzyn K, Vassilaki N, Mpekoulis G, Zouridakis M, Giastas P, Vidali VP, Kelaidonis K, Matsoukas MT, Dimitriou M, Mavromoustakos T, Tsiodras S, Gorgoulis VG, Karakasiliotis I, Chasapis CT, Matsoukas JM. Novel benzimidazole angiotensin receptor blockers with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity equipotent to that of nirmatrelvir: computational and enzymatic studies. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024; 28:437-459. [PMID: 38828744 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2362675] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension worsens outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Sartans, a type of antihypertensive angiotensin receptor blocker-(ARB), reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality by targeting angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral and antihypertensive effects of nirmatrelvir, commercial sartans (candesartan, losartan, and losartan carboxylic (Exp3174)), and newly synthesized sartans (benzimidazole-N-biphenyl carboxyl (ACC519C) and benzimidazole-N-biphenyl tetrazole (ACC519T)), compared to nirmatrelvir, the antiviral component of Paxlovid. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and enzymatic studies assessed drug effects on ACE2. Antiviral abilities were tested with SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells, and antihypertensive effects were evaluated using angiotensin II-contracted rabbit iliac arteries. RESULTS Benzimidazole-based candesartan and ACC519C showed antiviral activity comparable to nirmatrelvir (95% inhibition). Imidazole-based losartan, Exp3174, and ACC519T were less potent (75%-80% and 50%, respectively), with Exp3174 being the least effective. SPR analysis indicated high sartans-ACE2 binding affinity. Candesartan and nirmatrelvir combined had greater inhibitory and cytopathic effects (3.96%) than individually (6.10% and 5.08%). ACE2 enzymatic assays showed varying effects of novel sartans on ACE2. ACC519T significantly reduced angiotensin II-mediated contraction, unlike nirmatrelvir and ACC519T(2). CONCLUSION This study reports the discovery of a new class of benzimidazole-based sartans that significantly inhibit SARS-CoV-2, likely due to their interaction with ACE2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Ridgway
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
- AquaMem Consultants, Rodeo, NM, USA
| | - Graham J Moore
- Pepmetics Inc, 772 Murphy Place, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Laura Kate Gadanec
- Institute for Health and Sport, Immunology and Translational Research, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anthony Zulli
- Institute for Health and Sport, Immunology and Translational Research, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Vasso Apostolopoulos
- Institute for Health and Sport, Immunology and Translational Research, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
- Immunology Program, Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, Australia
| | - Weronika Hoffmann
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Niki Vassilaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - George Mpekoulis
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Zouridakis
- Structural Neurobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Giastas
- Structural Neurobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Veroniki P Vidali
- Natural Products and Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Marios Dimitriou
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece
| | - Thomas Mavromoustakos
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios Tsiodras
- Faculty of Medicine, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis G Gorgoulis
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Faculty Institute for Cancer Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece
| | - Christos T Chasapis
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - John M Matsoukas
- Institute for Health and Sport, Immunology and Translational Research, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
- NewDrug PC, Patras Science Park, Patras, Greece
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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11
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Kang J, La TV, Kim MJ, Bae JH, Sung BH, Kim S, Sohn JH. Secretory Production of the Hericium erinaceus Laccase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 34:930-939. [PMID: 38314447 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2312.12043] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Mushroom laccases play a crucial role in lignin depolymerization, one of the most critical challenges in lignin utilization. Importantly, laccases can utilize a wide range of substrates, such as toxicants and antibiotics. This study isolated a novel laccase, named HeLac4c, from endophytic white-rot fungi Hericium erinaceus mushrooms. The cDNAs for this enzyme were 1569 bp in length and encoded a protein of 523 amino acids, including a 20 amino-acid signal peptide. Active extracellular production of glycosylated laccases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was successfully achieved by selecting an optimal translational fusion partner. We observed that 5 and 10 mM Ca2+, Zn2+, and K+ increased laccase activity, whereas 5 mM Fe2+ and Al3+ inhibited laccase activity. The laccase activity was inhibited by the addition of low concentrations of sodium azide and L-cysteine. The optimal pH for the 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt was 4.4. Guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether, a lignin model compound, was polymerized by the HeLac4c enzyme. These results indicated that HeLac4c is a novel oxidase biocatalyst for the bioconversion of lignin into value-added products for environmental biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Kang
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea National University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Thuat Van La
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea National University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
- Jeonbuk Branch Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup 56212, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Jin Kim
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hoon Bae
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Hyun Sung
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea National University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonghun Kim
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea National University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
- Jeonbuk Branch Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup 56212, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hoon Sohn
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea National University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
- Cellapy Bio Inc., Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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12
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Catoiu EA, Mih N, Lu M, Palsson B. Establishing comprehensive quaternary structural proteomes from genome sequence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.24.590993. [PMID: 38712217 PMCID: PMC11071507 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.24.590993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
A critical body of knowledge has developed through advances in protein microscopy, protein-fold modeling, structural biology software, availability of sequenced bacterial genomes, large-scale mutation databases, and genome-scale models. Based on these recent advances, we develop a computational framework that; i) identifies the oligomeric structural proteome encoded by an organism's genome from available structural resources; ii) maps multi-strain alleleomic variation, resulting in the structural proteome for a species; and iii) calculates the 3D orientation of proteins across subcellular compartments with residue-level precision. Using the platform, we; iv) compute the quaternary E. coli K-12 MG1655 structural proteome; v) use a dataset of 12,000 mutations to build Random Forest classifiers that can predict the severity of mutations; and, in combination with a genome-scale model that computes proteome allocation, vi) obtain the spatial allocation of the E. coli proteome. Thus, in conjunction with relevant datasets and increasingly accurate computational models, we can now annotate quaternary structural proteomes, at genome-scale, to obtain a molecular-level understanding of whole-cell functions. Significance Advancements in experimental and computational methods have revealed the shapes of multi-subunit proteins. The absence of a unified platform that maps actionable datatypes onto these increasingly accurate structures creates a barrier to structural analyses, especially at the genome-scale. Here, we describe QSPACE, a computational annotation platform that evaluates existing resources to identify the best-available structure for each protein in a user's query, maps the 3D location of actionable datatypes ( e.g. , active sites, published mutations) onto the selected structures, and uses third-party APIs to determine the subcellular compartment of all amino acids of a protein. As proof-of-concept, we deployed QSPACE to generate the quaternary structural proteome of E. coli MG1655 and demonstrate two use-cases involving large-scale mutant analysis and genome-scale modelling.
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13
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Andrade KCR, Homem-de-Mello M, Motta JA, Borges MG, de Abreu JAC, de Souza PM, Pessoa A, Pappas GJ, de Oliveira Magalhães P. A Structural In Silico Analysis of the Immunogenicity of L-Asparaginase from Penicillium cerradense. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4788. [PMID: 38732010 PMCID: PMC11084778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase is an essential drug used to treat acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), a cancer of high prevalence in children. Several adverse reactions associated with L-asparaginase have been observed, mainly caused by immunogenicity and allergenicity. Some strategies have been adopted, such as searching for new microorganisms that produce the enzyme and applying protein engineering. Therefore, this work aimed to elucidate the molecular structure and predict the immunogenic profile of L-asparaginase from Penicillium cerradense, recently revealed as a new fungus of the genus Penicillium and producer of the enzyme, as a motivation to search for alternatives to bacterial L-asparaginase. In the evolutionary relationship, L-asparaginase from P. cerradense closely matches Aspergillus species. Using in silico tools, we characterized the enzyme as a protein fragment of 378 amino acids (39 kDa), including a signal peptide containing 17 amino acids, and the isoelectric point at 5.13. The oligomeric state was predicted to be a homotetramer. Also, this L-asparaginase presented a similar immunogenicity response (T- and B-cell epitopes) compared to Escherichia coli and Dickeya chrysanthemi enzymes. These results suggest a potentially useful L-asparaginase, with insights that can drive strategies to improve enzyme production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellen Cruvinel Rodrigues Andrade
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (K.C.R.A.)
| | - Mauricio Homem-de-Mello
- inSiliTox, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Julia Almeida Motta
- inSiliTox, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Marina Guimarães Borges
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (K.C.R.A.)
| | - Joel Antônio Cordeiro de Abreu
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (K.C.R.A.)
| | - Paula Monteiro de Souza
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (K.C.R.A.)
| | - Adalberto Pessoa
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Georgios J. Pappas
- Department Cell Biology, Institute Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Pérola de Oliveira Magalhães
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (K.C.R.A.)
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14
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Huang H, Zhao DX, Zhao J, Chen X, Liu C, Yang ZZ. Origin of Enantioselectivity in Engineered Cytochrome c-Catalyzed Carbon-Radical FePP Hydrolysis Revealed Using QM/MM (ABEEM Polarizable Force Field) and MD Simulations. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:3807-3823. [PMID: 38605466 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The origin of highly efficient asymmetric aminohydroxylation of styrene catalyzed by engineered cytochrome c is investigated by the developed Atom-Bond Electronegativity Equalization Method polarizable force field (ABEEM PFF), which is a combined outcome of electronic and steric effects. Model molecules were used to establish the charge parameters of the ABEEM PFF, for which the bond-stretching and angle-bending parameters were obtained by using a combination of modified Seminario and scan methods. The interactions between carbon-radical Fe-porphyrin (FePP) and waters are simulated by molecular dynamics, which shows a clear preference for the pre-R over the pre-S. This preference is attributed to the hydrogen-bond between the mutated 100S and 101P residues as well as van der Waals interactions, enforcing a specific conformation of the carbon-radical FePP complex within the binding pocket. Meanwhile, the hydrogen-bond between water and the nitrogen atom in the active intermediate dictates the stereochemical outcome. Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM (ABEEM PFF)) and free-energy perturbation calculations elucidate that the 3RTS is characterized by sandwich-like structure among adjacent amino acid residues, which exhibits greater stability than crowed arrangement in 3STS and enables the R enantiomer to form more favorably. Thus, this study provides mechanistic insight into the catalytic reaction of hemoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Huang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Xia Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, P. R. China
| | - Jian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, P. R. China
| | - Cui Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, P. R. China
| | - Zhong-Zhi Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, P. R. China
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15
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Krishna R, Wang J, Ahern W, Sturmfels P, Venkatesh P, Kalvet I, Lee GR, Morey-Burrows FS, Anishchenko I, Humphreys IR, McHugh R, Vafeados D, Li X, Sutherland GA, Hitchcock A, Hunter CN, Kang A, Brackenbrough E, Bera AK, Baek M, DiMaio F, Baker D. Generalized biomolecular modeling and design with RoseTTAFold All-Atom. Science 2024; 384:eadl2528. [PMID: 38452047 DOI: 10.1126/science.adl2528] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Deep-learning methods have revolutionized protein structure prediction and design but are presently limited to protein-only systems. We describe RoseTTAFold All-Atom (RFAA), which combines a residue-based representation of amino acids and DNA bases with an atomic representation of all other groups to model assemblies that contain proteins, nucleic acids, small molecules, metals, and covalent modifications, given their sequences and chemical structures. By fine-tuning on denoising tasks, we developed RFdiffusion All-Atom (RFdiffusionAA), which builds protein structures around small molecules. Starting from random distributions of amino acid residues surrounding target small molecules, we designed and experimentally validated, through crystallography and binding measurements, proteins that bind the cardiac disease therapeutic digoxigenin, the enzymatic cofactor heme, and the light-harvesting molecule bilin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohith Krishna
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Jue Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Woody Ahern
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Pascal Sturmfels
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Preetham Venkatesh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Physics, Structure and Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Indrek Kalvet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Gyu Rie Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | | | - Ivan Anishchenko
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Ian R Humphreys
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Ryan McHugh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Physics, Structure and Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Dionne Vafeados
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Xinting Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | | | - Andrew Hitchcock
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - C Neil Hunter
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Alex Kang
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Evans Brackenbrough
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Asim K Bera
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Minkyung Baek
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Frank DiMaio
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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16
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Waterhouse AM, Studer G, Robin X, Bienert S, Tauriello G, Schwede T. The structure assessment web server: for proteins, complexes and more. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae270. [PMID: 38634802 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The 'structure assessment' web server is a one-stop shop for interactive evaluation and benchmarking of structural models of macromolecular complexes including proteins and nucleic acids. A user-friendly web dashboard links sequence with structure information and results from a variety of state-of-the-art tools, which facilitates the visual exploration and evaluation of structure models. The dashboard integrates stereochemistry information, secondary structure information, global and local model quality assessment of the tertiary structure of comparative protein models, as well as prediction of membrane location. In addition, a benchmarking mode is available where a model can be compared to a reference structure, providing easy access to scores that have been used in recent CASP experiments and CAMEO. The structure assessment web server is available at https://swissmodel.expasy.org/assess.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Waterhouse
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Computational Structural Biology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Studer
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Computational Structural Biology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Robin
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Computational Structural Biology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Bienert
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Computational Structural Biology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gerardo Tauriello
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Computational Structural Biology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Torsten Schwede
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Computational Structural Biology, Basel, Switzerland
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17
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Liu Z, Liu H, Vera AM, Yang B, Tinnefeld P, Nash MA. Engineering an artificial catch bond using mechanical anisotropy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3019. [PMID: 38589360 PMCID: PMC11001878 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46858-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Catch bonds are a rare class of protein-protein interactions where the bond lifetime increases under an external pulling force. Here, we report how modification of anchor geometry generates catch bonding behavior for the mechanostable Dockerin G:Cohesin E (DocG:CohE) adhesion complex found on human gut bacteria. Using AFM single-molecule force spectroscopy in combination with bioorthogonal click chemistry, we mechanically dissociate the complex using five precisely controlled anchor geometries. When tension is applied between residue #13 on CohE and the N-terminus of DocG, the complex behaves as a two-state catch bond, while in all other tested pulling geometries, including the native configuration, it behaves as a slip bond. We use a kinetic Monte Carlo model with experimentally derived parameters to simulate rupture force and lifetime distributions, achieving strong agreement with experiments. Single-molecule FRET measurements further demonstrate that the complex does not exhibit dual binding mode behavior at equilibrium but unbinds along multiple pathways under force. Together, these results show how mechanical anisotropy and anchor point selection can be used to engineer artificial catch bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Liu
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2629HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Haipei Liu
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrés M Vera
- Faculty of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Byeongseon Yang
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Botnar Research Centre for Child Health, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
- National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR) Molecular Systems Engineering, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philip Tinnefeld
- Faculty of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael A Nash
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Botnar Research Centre for Child Health, 4051, Basel, Switzerland.
- National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR) Molecular Systems Engineering, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Swiss Nanoscience Institute, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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18
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Torres de Oliveira C, Alexandrino de Assis M, Lourenço Franco Cairo JP, Damasio A, Guimarães Pereira GA, Mazutti MA, de Oliveira D. Functional characterization and structural insights of three cutinases from the ascomycete Fusarium verticillioides. Protein Expr Purif 2024; 216:106415. [PMID: 38104791 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Cutinases are serine esterases that belong to the α/β hydrolases superfamily. The natural substrates for these enzymes are cutin and suberin, components of the plant cuticle, the first barrier in the defense system against pathogen invasion. It is well-reported that plant pathogens produce cutinases to facilitate infection. Fusarium verticillioides, one important corn pathogens, is an ascomycete upon which its cutinases are poorly explored. Consequently, the objective of this study was to perform the biochemical characterization of three precursor cutinases (FvCut1, FvCut2, and FvCut3) from F. verticillioides and to obtain structural insights about them. The cutinases were produced in Escherichia coli and purified. FvCut1, FvCut2, and FvCut3 presented optimal temperatures of 20, 40, and 35 °C, and optimal pH of 9, 7, and 8, respectively. Some chemicals stimulated the enzymatic activity. The kinetic parameters revealed that FvCut1 has higher catalytic efficiency (Kcat/Km) in the p-nitrophenyl-butyrate (p-NPB) substrate. Nevertheless, the enzymes were not able to hydrolyze polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Furthermore, the three-dimensional models of these enzymes showed structural differences among them, mainly FvCut1, which presented a narrower opening cleft to access the catalytic site. Therefore, our study contributes to exploring the diversity of fungal cutinases and their potential biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Torres de Oliveira
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Technology Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Michelle Alexandrino de Assis
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - André Damasio
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Marcio Antonio Mazutti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technology Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Débora de Oliveira
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Technology Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC, Florianópolis, Brazil.
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19
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Shallangwa GA, Mahmud AW, Uzairu A, Ibrahim MT. 2,4-disubstituted 6-fluoroquinolines as potent antiplasmodial agents: QSAR, homology modeling, molecular docking and ADMET studies. J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2024; 19:233-247. [PMID: 38179257 PMCID: PMC10762476 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This work was designed to study 2,4-disubstituted 6-fluoroquinolines as antiplasmodial agents by using in silico techniques, to aid in the design of novel analogs with high potency against malaria and high inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum translation elongation factor 2 (PfeEF2), a novel drug target. Methods Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) of 2,4-disubstituted 6-fluoroquinolines were studied with the genetic function approximation technique in Material Studio software. The 3D structure of PfeEF2 was modeled in the SWISS-MODEL workspace through homology modeling. A molecular docking study of the modeled PfeEF2 and 2,4-disubstituted 6-fluoroquinolines was conducted with Autodock Vina in Pyrx software. Furthermore, the in silico pharmacokinetic properties of selected compounds were investigated. Results A robust, reliable and predictive QSAR model was developed that related the chemical structures of 2,4-disubstituted 6-fluoroquinolines to their antiplasmodium activities. The model had an internal squared correlation coefficient R2 of 0.921, adjusted squared correlation coefficient R2adj of 0.878, leave-one-out cross-validation coefficient Q2cv of 0.801 and predictive squared correlation coefficient R2pred of 0.901. The antiplasmodium activity of 6-fluoroquinolines was found to depend on the n5Ring, GGI9, TDB7u, TDB8u and RDF75i physicochemical properties: n5Ring, TDB8u and RDF75i were positively associated, whereas GGI9 and TDB7u were negatively associated, with the antiplasmodium activity of the compounds. Stable complexes formed between the compounds and modeled PfeEF2, with binding affinity ranging from -8.200 to -10.700 kcal/mol. Compounds 5, 11, 16, 22 and 24 had better binding affinities than quinoline-4-carboxamide (DDD107498), as well as good pharmacokinetic properties, and therefore may be better inhibitors of this novel target. Conclusion QSAR and docking studies provided insight into designing novel 2,4-disubstituted 6-fluoroquinolines with high antiplasmodial activity and good structural properties for inhibiting a novel antimalarial drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aliyu W. Mahmud
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Kaduna Polytechnic, P.M.B 2021, Kaduna, Nigeria
| | - Adamu Uzairu
- Chemistry Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
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20
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Khazaal MT, Faraag AHI, El-Hendawy HH. In vitro and in silico studies of enterobactin-inspired Ciprofloxacin and Fosfomycin first generation conjugates on the antibiotic resistant E. coli OQ866153. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:95. [PMID: 38519885 PMCID: PMC10958948 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03248-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens is a growing concern worldwide due to its impact on the treatment of bacterial infections. The "Trojan Horse" strategy has been proposed as a potential solution to overcome drug resistance caused by permeability issues. OBJECTIVE The objective of our research was to investigate the bactericidal activity and mechanism of action of the "Trojan Horse" strategy using enterobactin conjugated with Ciprofloxacin and Fosfomycin against the antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli strain OQ866153. METHODOLOGY Enterobactin, a mixed ligand of E. coli OQ866153, was conjugated with Ciprofloxacin and Fosfomycin individually to aid active absorption via specific enterobactin binding proteins (FepABCDG). The effectiveness of the conjugates was assessed by measuring their bactericidal activity against E. coli OQ866153, as well as their ability to inhibit DNA gyrase enzyme and biofilm formation. RESULTS The Fe+3-enterobactin-Ciprofloxacin conjugate effectively inhibited the DNA gyrase enzyme (Docking score = -8.597 kcal/mol) and resulted in a lower concentration (25 μg/ml) required to eliminate supercoiled DNA plasmids compared to the parent drug (35 μg/ml; Docking score = -6.264 kcal/mol). The Fe+3-Enterobactin-Fosfomycin conjugate showed a higher inhibition percentage (100%) of biofilm formation compared to Fosfomycin (21.58%) at a concentration of 2 mg/ml, with docking scores of -5.481 and -3.756 kcal/mol against UDP-N acetylglucosamine 1-carboxyvinyltransferase MurA. CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest that the "Trojan Horse" strategy using enterobactin conjugated with Ciprofloxacin and Fosfomycin can effectively overcome permeability issues caused by efflux proteins and enhance the bactericidal activity of these drugs against antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed T Khazaal
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, HelwanCairo, 11795, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H I Faraag
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, HelwanCairo, 11795, Egypt.
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo, 11829, Egypt.
| | - Hoda H El-Hendawy
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, HelwanCairo, 11795, Egypt.
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21
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Polanco EA, Opdam LV, Passerini L, Huber M, Bonnet S, Pandit A. An artificial metalloenzyme that can oxidize water photocatalytically: design, synthesis, and characterization. Chem Sci 2024; 15:3596-3609. [PMID: 38455019 PMCID: PMC10915814 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05870k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In nature, light-driven water oxidation (WO) catalysis is performed by photosystem II via the delicate interplay of different cofactors positioned in its protein scaffold. Artificial systems for homogeneous photocatalytic WO are based on small molecules that often have limited solubility in aqueous solutions. In this work, we alleviated this issue and present a cobalt-based WO-catalyst containing artificial metalloenzyme (ArM) that is active in light-driven, homogeneous WO catalysis in neutral-pH aqueous solutions. A haem-containing electron transfer protein, cytochrome B5 (CB5), served to host a first-row transition-metal-based WO catalyst, CoSalen (CoIISalen, where H2Salen = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine), thus producing an ArM capable of driving photocatalytic WO. The CoSalen ArM formed a water-soluble pre-catalyst in the presence of [Ru(bpy)3](ClO4)2 as photosensitizer and Na2S2O8 as the sacrificial electron acceptor, with photocatalytic activity similar to that of free CoSalen. During photocatalysis, the CoSalen-protein interactions were destabilized, and the protein partially unfolded. Rather than forming tens of nanometer sized CoOx nanoparticles as free CoSalen does under photocatalytic WO conditions, the CB5 : CoSalen ArM showed limited protein cross-linking and remained soluble. We conclude that a weak, dynamic interaction between a soluble cobalt species and apoCB5 was formed, which generated a catalytically active adduct during photocatalysis. A detailed analysis was performed on protein stability and decomposition processes during the harsh oxidizing reaction conditions of WO, which will serve for the future design of WO ArMs with improved activity and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehider A Polanco
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Laura V Opdam
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Leonardo Passerini
- Department of Physics, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University Niels Bohrweg 2 2333 CA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Martina Huber
- Department of Physics, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University Niels Bohrweg 2 2333 CA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Sylvestre Bonnet
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Anjali Pandit
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
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22
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Yuan W, Rao X, Zhong B, Chen M, Ali H, Lv C, Niu C. Exploring the functional profiles of odorant binding proteins crucial for sensing key odorants in the new leaves of coconut palms in Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 261:129852. [PMID: 38307432 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129852] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Curculionidae: Coleoptera) is a highly destructive global pest of coconut trees, with a preference for laying its eggs on new leaves. Females can identify where to lay eggs by using their sense of smell to detect specific odorants found in new leaves. In this study, we focused on the two odorants commonly found in new leaves by GC-MS: trans, trans-2,4-nonadienal and trans-2-nonenal. Our behavioral assays demonstrated a significant attraction of females to both of these odorants, with their electrophysiological responses being dose-dependent. Furthermore, we examined the expression patterns induced by these odorants in eleven RferOBP genes. Among them, RferOBP3 and RferOBP1768 exhibited the most significant and simultaneous upregulation. To further understand the role of these two genes, we conducted experiments with females injected with OBP-dsRNA. This resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of RferOBP3 and RferOBP1768, as well as impaired the perception of the two odorants. A fluorescence competitive binding assay also showed that both RferOBPs strongly bound to the odorants. Additionally, sequence analysis revealed that these two RferOBPs belong to the Minus-C family and possess four conserved cysteines. Molecular docking simulations showed strong interactions between these two RferOBPs and the odorant molecules. Overall, our findings highlight the crucial role of RferOBP3 and RferOBP1768 in the olfactory perception of the key odorants in coconut palm new leaves. This knowledge significantly improves our understanding of how RPW females locate sites for oviposition and lays the foundation for future research on the development of environmentally friendly pest attractants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqin Yuan
- Coconut Research Institute/Tropical Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan 571300, China; College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Xinjie Rao
- College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; New Horizon Health Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310051, China
| | - Baozhu Zhong
- Coconut Research Institute/Tropical Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan 571300, China
| | - Mengran Chen
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Habib Ali
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information technology, Rahim Yar Khan 64200, Pakistan
| | - Chaojun Lv
- Coconut Research Institute/Tropical Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan 571300, China.
| | - Changying Niu
- College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
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23
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Hussin A, Nathan S, Shahidan MA, Nor Rahim MY, Zainun MY, Khairuddin NAN, Ibrahim N. Identification and mechanism determination of the efflux pump subunit amrB gene mutations linked to gentamicin susceptibility in clinical Burkholderia pseudomallei from Malaysian Borneo. Mol Genet Genomics 2024; 299:12. [PMID: 38381232 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-024-02105-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei is typically resistant to gentamicin but rare susceptible strains have been isolated in certain regions, such as Thailand and Sarawak, Malaysia. Recently, several amino acid substitutions have been reported in the amrB gene (a subunit of the amrAB-oprA efflux pump gene) that confer gentamicin susceptibility. However, information regarding the mechanism of the substitutions conferring the susceptibility is lacking. To understand the mechanism of amino acid substitution that confers susceptibility, this study identifies the corresponding mutations in clinical gentamicin-susceptible B. pseudomallei isolates from the Malaysian Borneo (n = 46; Sarawak: 5; Sabah: 41). Three phenotypically confirmed gentamicin-susceptible (GENs) strains from Sarawak, Malaysia, were screened for mutations in the amrB gene using gene sequences of gentamicin-resistant (GENr) strains (QEH 56, QEH 57, QEH20, and QEH26) and publicly available sequences (AF072887.1 and BX571965.1) as the comparator. The effect of missense mutations on the stability of the AmrB protein was determined by calculating the average energy change value (ΔΔG). Mutagenesis analysis identified a polymorphism-associated mutation, g.1056 T > G, a possible susceptible-associated in-frame deletion, Delta V412, and a previously confirmed susceptible-associated amino acid substitution, T368R, in each of the three GENs isolates. The contribution of Delta V412 needs further confirmation by experimental mutagenesis analysis. The mechanism by which T368R confers susceptibility, as elucidated by in silico mutagenesis analysis using AmrB-modeled protein structures, is proposed to be due to the location of T368R in a highly conserved region, rather than destabilization of the AmrB protein structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainulkhir Hussin
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Sheila Nathan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Ashraf Shahidan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Yusof Nor Rahim
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Yusof Zainun
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | | | - Nazlina Ibrahim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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24
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Giacobbi NS, Mullapudi S, Nabors H, Pyeon D. The Chemokine CXCL14 as a Potential Immunotherapeutic Agent for Cancer Therapy. Viruses 2024; 16:302. [PMID: 38400076 PMCID: PMC10892169 DOI: 10.3390/v16020302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
There is great enthusiasm toward the development of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, and given their roles in immune system regulation, chemokines stand out as promising candidates for use in new cancer therapies. Many previous studies have shown how chemokine signaling pathways could be targeted to halt cancer progression. We and others have revealed that the chemokine CXCL14 promotes antitumor immune responses, suggesting that CXCL14 may be effective for cancer immunotherapy. However, it is still unknown what mechanism governs CXCL14-mediated antitumor activity, how to deliver CXCL14, what dose to apply, and what combinations with existing therapy may boost antitumor immune responses in cancer patients. Here, we provide updates on the role of CXCL14 in cancer progression and discuss the potential development and application of CXCL14 as an immunotherapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dohun Pyeon
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (N.S.G.); (S.M.); (H.N.)
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25
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Tan C, Li S, Song J, Zheng X, Zheng H, Xu W, Wan C, Zhang T, Bian Q, Men S. 3,4-Dichlorophenylacetic acid acts as an auxin analog and induces beneficial effects in various crops. Commun Biol 2024; 7:161. [PMID: 38332111 PMCID: PMC10853179 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05848-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Auxins and their analogs are widely used to promote root growth, flower and fruit development, and yield in crops. The action characteristics and application scope of various auxins are different. To overcome the limitations of existing auxins, expand the scope of applications, and reduce side effects, it is necessary to screen new auxin analogs. Here, we identified 3,4-dichlorophenylacetic acid (Dcaa) as having auxin-like activity and acting through the auxin signaling pathway in plants. At the physiological level, Dcaa promotes the elongation of oat coleoptile segments, the generation of adventitious roots, and the growth of crop roots. At the molecular level, Dcaa induces the expression of auxin-responsive genes and acts through auxin receptors. Molecular docking results showed that Dcaa can bind to auxin receptors, among which TIR1 has the highest binding activity. Application of Dcaa at the root tip of the DR5:GUS auxin-responsive reporter induces GUS expression in the root hair zone, which requires the PIN2 auxin efflux carrier. Dcaa also inhibits the endocytosis of PIN proteins like other auxins. These results provide a basis for the application of Dcaa in agricultural practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Suxin Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Jia Song
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Xianfu Zheng
- Zhengzhou ZhengShi Chemical Co., Ltd, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Zhengzhou ZhengShi Chemical Co., Ltd, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weichang Xu
- Zhengzhou ZhengShi Chemical Co., Ltd, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cui Wan
- Zhengzhou ZhengShi Chemical Co., Ltd, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Bian
- National Pesticide Engineering Research Center (Tianjin), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China.
| | - Shuzhen Men
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China.
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26
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Dodd-O J, Roy A, Siddiqui Z, Jafari R, Coppola F, Ramasamy S, Kolloli A, Kumar D, Kaundal S, Zhao B, Kumar R, Robang AS, Li J, Azizogli AR, Pai V, Acevedo-Jake A, Heffernan C, Lucas A, McShan AC, Paravastu AK, Prasad BVV, Subbian S, Král P, Kumar V. Antiviral fibrils of self-assembled peptides with tunable compositions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1142. [PMID: 38326301 PMCID: PMC10850501 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45193-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The lasting threat of viral pandemics necessitates the development of tailorable first-response antivirals with specific but adaptive architectures for treatment of novel viral infections. Here, such an antiviral platform has been developed based on a mixture of hetero-peptides self-assembled into functionalized β-sheets capable of specific multivalent binding to viral protein complexes. One domain of each hetero-peptide is designed to specifically bind to certain viral proteins, while another domain self-assembles into fibrils with epitope binding characteristics determined by the types of peptides and their molar fractions. The self-assembled fibrils maintain enhanced binding to viral protein complexes and retain high resilience to viral mutations. This method is experimentally and computationally tested using short peptides that specifically bind to Spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2. This platform is efficacious, inexpensive, and stable with excellent tolerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Dodd-O
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Abhishek Roy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Zain Siddiqui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Roya Jafari
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Francesco Coppola
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Santhamani Ramasamy
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Afsal Kolloli
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Dilip Kumar
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Soni Kaundal
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Boyang Zhao
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ranjeet Kumar
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Alicia S Robang
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Jeffrey Li
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Abdul-Rahman Azizogli
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Varun Pai
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Amanda Acevedo-Jake
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Corey Heffernan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
- SAPHTx Inc, Newark, NJ, 07104, USA
| | - Alexandra Lucas
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics and Center for Immunotherapy Vaccines and Virotherapy, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 E, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Andrew C McShan
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Anant K Paravastu
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - B V Venkataram Prasad
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Selvakumar Subbian
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Petr Král
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
| | - Vivek Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
- SAPHTx Inc, Newark, NJ, 07104, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
- Department of Endodontics, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
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27
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Ambrose AJ, Zerio CJ, Sivinski J, Zhu X, Godek J, Sanchez JL, Khanna M, Khanna R, Lairson L, Zhang DD, Chapman E. Human Hsp70 Substrate-Binding Domains Recognize Distinct Client Proteins. Biochemistry 2024; 63:251-263. [PMID: 38243804 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The 13 Hsp70 proteins in humans act on unique sets of substrates with diversity often being attributed to J-domain-containing protein (Hsp40 or JDP) cofactors. We were therefore surprised to find drastically different binding affinities for Hsp70-peptide substrates, leading us to probe substrate specificity among the 8 canonical Hsp70s from humans. We used peptide arrays to characterize Hsp70 binding and then mined these data using machine learning to develop an algorithm for isoform-specific prediction of Hsp70 binding sequences. The results of this algorithm revealed recognition patterns not predicted based on local sequence alignments. We then showed that none of the human isoforms can complement heat-shocked DnaK knockout Escherichia coli cells. However, chimeric Hsp70s consisting of the human nucleotide-binding domain and the substrate-binding domain of DnaK complement during heat shock, providing further evidence in vivo of the divergent function of the Hsp70 substrate-binding domains. We also demonstrated that the differences in heat shock complementation among the chimeras are not due to loss of DnaJ binding. Although we do not exclude JDPs as additional specificity factors, our data demonstrate substrate specificity among the Hsp70s, which has important implications for inhibitor development in cancer and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Ambrose
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Christopher J Zerio
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jared Sivinski
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Xiaoyi Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jack Godek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jonathan L Sanchez
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, Arizona 85424, United States
| | - May Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York 10010, United States
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York 10010, United States
| | - Luke Lairson
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Donna D Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Eli Chapman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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28
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Pietralla J, Capdeville N, Schindele P, Puchta H. Optimizing ErCas12a for efficient gene editing in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:401-412. [PMID: 37864303 PMCID: PMC10826985 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The ErCas12a nuclease, also known as MAD7, is part of a CRISPR/Cas system from Eubacterium rectale and distantly related to Cas12a nucleases. As it shares only 31% sequence homology with the commonly used AsCas12a, its intellectual property may not be covered by the granted patent rights for Cas12a nucleases. Thus, ErCas12a became an attractive alternative for practical applications. However, the editing efficiency of ErCas12a is strongly target sequence- and temperature-dependent. Therefore, optimization of the enzyme activity through protein engineering is especially attractive for its application in plants, as they are cultivated at lower temperatures. Based on the knowledge obtained from the optimization of Cas12a nucleases, we opted to improve the gene editing efficiency of ErCas12a by introducing analogous amino acid exchanges. Interestingly, neither of these mutations analogous to those in the enhanced or Ultra versions of AsCas12a resulted in significant editing enhancement of ErCas12a in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, two different mutations, V156R and K172R, in putative alpha helical structures of the enzyme showed a detectable improvement in editing. By combining these two mutations, we obtained an improved ErCas12a (imErCas12a) variant, showing several-fold increase in activity in comparison to the wild-type enzyme in Arabidopsis. This variant yields strong editing efficiencies at 22 °C which could be further increased by raising the cultivation temperature to 28 °C and even enabled editing of formerly inaccessible targets. Additionally, no enhanced off-site activity was detected. Thus, imErCas12a is an economically attractive and efficient alternative to other CRISPR/Cas systems for plant genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Pietralla
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Joseph Gottlieb Kölreuter Institute for Plant Sciences (JKIP)Department of Molecular BiologyKarlrsruheGermany
| | - Niklas Capdeville
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Joseph Gottlieb Kölreuter Institute for Plant Sciences (JKIP)Department of Molecular BiologyKarlrsruheGermany
| | - Patrick Schindele
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Joseph Gottlieb Kölreuter Institute for Plant Sciences (JKIP)Department of Molecular BiologyKarlrsruheGermany
| | - Holger Puchta
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Joseph Gottlieb Kölreuter Institute for Plant Sciences (JKIP)Department of Molecular BiologyKarlrsruheGermany
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29
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Arora H, Choudhir G, Sengupta A, Sharma A, Sharma S. Bioactive metabolites of licorice and thyme as potential inhibitors of Cox1 enzyme of phytopathogens of Capsicum annuum L.: In-silico approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-18. [PMID: 38217280 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2303603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1), a key enzyme, has a crucial role in cellular respiration in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Generally, respiratory inhibitors are considered one of the types of chemical pesticides. Thyme oil and licorice aqueous extract have been reported to have antifungal activities against fungal phytopathogens of Capsicum annuum L., i.e., Colletotrichum capsici, Fusarium oxysporum, and Pythium aphanidermatum. The present study focuses on identifying the key bioactive molecules of thyme and licorice botanicals inhibiting the activity of the Cox1 enzymes of the above mentioned phytopathogens, employing the in-silico approach. From a wide range of bioactive molecules screened, the molecular docking indicated trans-carveol, carvacrol, kaempferol 3-rhamnoside 7-xyloside, kaempferitrin, and astragalin 7-rhamnoside as the potential inhibitors for Cox1 of C. capsici, β-Caryophyllene, Caryophyllene acetate, hispaglabridin A, kaempferol 3-rhamnoside 7-xyloside and licorice glycoside A for Cox1 of F. oxysporum and (+)-Longifolen, Caryophyllene acetate, Hispaglabridin A, Neoliquiritin 2''-apioside and Licorice-saponin A3 for Cox1 of P. aphanidermatum. Most of the top-scoring bioactive molecules exhibited higher binding affinity with the targets than the chemical compound, i.e., carbendazim. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis confirmed the reactivity of the top-docked compounds. Molecular dynamic simulations confirmed the stability of docked complexes when evaluated through multiple descriptors. Additionally, MM/PBSA analysis supported the findings, indicating the spontaneous binding of the enzymes to the screened ligands. ADMET analysis revealed the safety of the selected bioactive compounds. The present findings could be useful in developing biopesticidal formulations as efficient and sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Arora
- Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Gourav Choudhir
- Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Arunava Sengupta
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, India
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Amity Food and Agriculture Foundation, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Satyawati Sharma
- Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
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30
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Morgan MB, Williams J, Breeze B, English N, Higdon N, Onthank K, Qualley DF. Synergistic and antagonistic interactions of oxybenzone and ocean acidification: new insight into vulnerable cellular processes in non-calcifying anthozoans. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1332446. [PMID: 38274044 PMCID: PMC10808722 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1332446] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cnidarians face significant threats from ocean acidification (OA) and anthropogenic pollutants such as oxybenzone (BP-3). The convergence of threats from multiple stressors is an important area to investigate because of potential significant synergistic or antagonistic interactions. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to characterize the expression profiles of twenty-two genes of interest (GOI) in sea anemones (Exaiptasia diaphana) exposed to one of four treatments: 1) 96 h of OA conditions followed by a 4 h exposure to 20 ppb BP-3; 2) Exposure to 4 h 20 ppb BP-3 without 96 h of OA; 3) Exposure to 96 h of OA alone; or 4) laboratory conditions with no exposure to BP-3 and/or OA. These 22 GOIs represent cellular processes associated with proton-dependent transport, sodium-dependent transport, metal cation binding/transport, extracellular matrix, amino acid metabolism/transport, immunity, and/or steroidogenesis. These 22 GOIs provide new insight into vulnerable cellular processes in non-calcifying anthozoans exposed to OA and BP-3. Expression profiles were categorized as synergistic, antagonistic, or additive of BP-3 in the presence of OA. Two GOIs were synergistic. Fifteen GOIs were antagonistic and the remaining five GOIs were additive in response to BP-3 in acidified seawater. A subset of these GOIs appear to be candidate biomarkers for future in situ investigations. In human health, proton-dependent monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) are promising pharmacological targets and recognized as potential biomarkers. By comparison, these same MCTs appear to be targets of xenobiotic chemical pollutants in cnidarian physiology. In the presence of BP-3, a network of collagen synthesis genes are upregulated and antagonistic in their expression profiles. Cytochrome b561 is a critical protein required for collagen synthesis and in silico modeling demonstrates BP-3 binds in the pocket of cytochrome b561. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of "drug-like" compounds such as BP-3 may lead to a more comprehensive interpretation of transcriptional expression profiles. The collective antagonistic responses of GOIs associated with collagen synthesis strongly suggests these GOIs should be considered candidate biomarkers of effect. GOIs with synergistic and additive responses represent candidate biomarkers of exposure. Results show the effects of OA and BP-3 are interactive with respect to their impact on cnidarians. This investigation offers mechanistic data that supports the expression profiles and underpins higher order physiological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B. Morgan
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Jacob Williams
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Barrett Breeze
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Nicholas English
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Nathaniel Higdon
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Kirt Onthank
- Department of Biology, Walla Walla University, College Place, WA, United States
| | - Dominic F. Qualley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
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Gutmann M, Reinhardt D, Seidensticker C, Raschig M, Hahn L, Moscaroli A, Behe M, Meinel L, Lühmann T. Matrix Metalloproteinase-Responsive Delivery of PEGylated Fibroblast Growth Factor 2. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:156-165. [PMID: 37988287 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains is a common, well-studied, and Food and Drug Administration-approved method to address the pharmacokinetic challenges of therapeutic proteins. Occasionally, PEGylation impairs the activity of pharmacodynamics (PD). To overcome this problem, disease-relevant cleavable linkers between the polymer and the therapeutic protein can unleash full PD by de-PEGylating the protein at its target site. In this study, we engineered a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-responsive fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) mutant that was site-specifically extended with a PEG polymer chain. Using bioinspired strategies, the bioconjugate was designed to release the native protein at the desired structure/environment with preservation of the proliferative capacity in vitro on NIH3T3 cells. In vivo, hepatic exposure was diminished but not its renal distribution over time compared to unconjugated FGF-2. By releasing the growth factor from the PEG polymer in response to MMP cleavage, restored FGF-2 may enter hard-to-reach tissues and activate cell surface receptors or nuclear targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Gutmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, DE-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Debora Reinhardt
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, DE-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Seidensticker
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik Für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum Rechts der Isar der TU München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Raschig
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, DE-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Hahn
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, DE-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alessandra Moscaroli
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Martin Behe
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, DE-97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), DE-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Lühmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, DE-97074 Würzburg, Germany
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Mahdavi M, Mohsen-Pour N, Maleki M, Ghasemi S, Tabib A, Houshmand G, Naderi N, Masoumi T, Pouraliakbar H, Kalayinia S. Whole-exome sequencing reveals a likely pathogenic LMNA variant causing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Lab Med 2024; 55:62-70. [PMID: 37246508 DOI: 10.1093/labmed/lmad038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We studied the clinical and molecular features of a family with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). BACKGROUND A very heterogeneous disease affecting the heart muscle, HCM is mostly caused by variants in the proteins of sarcomeres. The detection of HCM pathogenic variants can affect the handling of patients and their families. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to assess the genetic cause(s) of HCM in a consanguineous Iranian family. RESULTS Missense likely pathogenic variant c.1279C>T (p.Arg427Cys) within exon 7 of the LMNA gene (NM_170707) was found. The segregations were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction-based Sanger sequencing. CONCLUSIONS Variant c.1279C>T (p.Arg427Cys) in the LMNA gene seemed to have been the cause of HCM in the family. A few LMNA gene variants related to HCM phenotypes have been recognized so far. Identifying HCM genetic basis confers significant opportunities to understand how the disease can develop and, by extension, how this progression can be arrested. Our study supports WES effectiveness for first-tier variant screening of HCM in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahdavi
- Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Mohsen-Pour
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | | | - Serwa Ghasemi
- Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Avisa Tabib
- Heart Valve Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Golnaz Houshmand
- Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Naderi
- Cardiogenetic Research Center and Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tannaz Masoumi
- Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Pouraliakbar
- Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Kalayinia
- Cardiogenetic Research Center and Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Guerra E, Trerotola M, Relli V, Lattanzio R, Boujnah K, Travali N, Moschella A, Todaro P, Pierdomenico L, Di Pietro R, Tinari N, Alberti S. Phylogenetic conservation of Trop-2 across species-rodent and primate genomics model anti-Trop-2 therapy for pre-clinical benchmarks. Front Genet 2024; 14:1297367. [PMID: 38250577 PMCID: PMC10797630 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1297367] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A phylogenetic conservation analysis of Trop-2 across vertebrate species showed a high degree of sequence conservation, permitting to explore multiple models as pre-clinical benchmarks. Sequence divergence and incomplete conservation of expression patterns were observed in mouse and rat. Primate Trop-2 sequences were found to be 95%-100% identical to the human sequence. Comparative three-dimension primate Trop-2 structures were obtained with AlphaFold and homology modeling. This revealed high structure conservation of Trop-2 (0.66 ProMod3 GMQE, 0.80-0.86 ± 0.05 QMEANDisCo scores), with conservative amino acid changes at variant sites. Primate TACSTD2/TROP2 cDNAs were cloned and transfectants for individual ORF were shown to be efficiently recognized by humanized anti-Trop-2 monoclonal antibodies (Hu2G10, Hu2EF). Immunohistochemistry analysis of Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkey) tissues showed Trop-2 expression patterns that closely followed those in human tissues. This led us to test Trop-2 targeting in vivo in Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgus monkey). Intravenously injected Hu2G10 and Hu2EF were well tolerated from 5 to 10 mg/kg. Neither neurological, respiratory, digestive, urinary symptoms, nor biochemical or hematological toxicities were detected during 28-day observation. Blood serum pharmacokinetic (PK) studies were conducted utilizing anti-idiotypic antibodies in capture-ELISA assays. Hu2G10 (t1/2 = 6.5 days) and Hu2EF (t1/2 = 5.5 days) were stable in plasma, and were detectable in the circulation up to 3 weeks after the infusion. These findings validate primates as reliable models for Hu2G10 and Hu2EF toxicity and PK, and support the use of these antibodies as next-generation anti-Trop-2 immunotherapy tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Guerra
- Laboratory of Cancer Pathology, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Trerotola
- Laboratory of Cancer Pathology, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Valeria Relli
- Laboratory of Cancer Pathology, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rossano Lattanzio
- Laboratory of Cancer Pathology, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Khouloud Boujnah
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences—BIOMORF, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Nicole Travali
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences—BIOMORF, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Moschella
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences—BIOMORF, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Paolo Todaro
- Department of Human Pathology “Gaetano Barresi”, Section of Cytopathology, University of Messina, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria “Gaetano Martino”, Messina, Italy
| | - Laura Pierdomenico
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Pietro
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, Section of Biomorphology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nicola Tinari
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Saverio Alberti
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences—BIOMORF, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Woellner-Santos D, Tahira AC, Malvezzi JVM, Mesel V, Morales-Vicente DA, Trentini MM, Marques-Neto LM, Matos IA, Kanno AI, Pereira ASA, Teixeira AAR, Giordano RJ, Leite LCC, Pereira CAB, DeMarco R, Amaral MS, Verjovski-Almeida S. Schistosoma mansoni vaccine candidates identified by unbiased phage display screening in self-cured rhesus macaques. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:5. [PMID: 38177171 PMCID: PMC10767053 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00803-x] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a challenging neglected tropical disease, affects millions of people worldwide. Developing a prophylactic vaccine against Schistosoma mansoni has been hindered by the parasite's biological complexity. In this study, we utilized the innovative phage-display immunoprecipitation followed by a sequencing approach (PhIP-Seq) to screen the immune response of 10 infected rhesus macaques during self-cure and challenge-resistant phases, identifying vaccine candidates. Our high-throughput S. mansoni synthetic DNA phage-display library encoded 99.6% of 119,747 58-mer peptides, providing comprehensive coverage of the parasite's proteome. Library screening with rhesus macaques' antibodies, from the early phase of establishment of parasite infection, identified significantly enriched epitopes of parasite extracellular proteins known to be expressed in the digestive tract, shifting towards intracellular proteins during the late phase of parasite clearance. Immunization of mice with a selected pool of PhIP-Seq-enriched phage-displayed peptides from MEG proteins, cathepsins B, and asparaginyl endopeptidase significantly reduced worm burden in a vaccination assay. These findings enhance our understanding of parasite-host immune responses and provide promising prospects for developing an effective schistosomiasis vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Woellner-Santos
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana C Tahira
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João V M Malvezzi
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Mesel
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - David A Morales-Vicente
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Monalisa M Trentini
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lázaro M Marques-Neto
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Isaac A Matos
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alex I Kanno
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana S A Pereira
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - André A R Teixeira
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Institute for Protein Innovation, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Luciana C C Leite
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos A B Pereira
- Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Murilo S Amaral
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Kulke M, Kurtz E, Boren DM, Olson DM, Koenig AM, Hoffmann-Benning S, Vermaas JV. PLAT domain protein 1 (PLAT1/PLAFP) binds to the Arabidopsis thaliana plasma membrane and inserts a lipid. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 338:111900. [PMID: 37863269 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Robust agricultural yields depend on the plant's ability to fix carbon amid variable environmental conditions. Over seasonal and diurnal cycles, the plant must constantly adjust its metabolism according to available resources or external stressors. The metabolic changes that a plant undergoes in response to stress are well understood, but the long-distance signaling mechanisms that facilitate communication throughout the plant are less studied. The phloem is considered the predominant conduit for the bidirectional transport of these signals in the form of metabolites, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. Lipid trafficking through the phloem in particular attracted our attention due to its reliance on soluble lipid-binding proteins (LBP) that generate and solubilize otherwise membrane-associated lipids. The Phloem Lipid-Associated Family Protein (PLAFP) from Arabidopsis thaliana is generated in response to abiotic stress as is its lipid-ligand phosphatidic acid (PA). PLAFP is proposed to transport PA through the phloem in response to drought stress. To understand the interactions between PLAFP and PA, nearly 100 independent systems comprised of the protein and one PA, or a plasma membrane containing varying amounts of PA, were simulated using atomistic classical molecular dynamics methods. In these simulations, PLAFP is found to bind to plant plasma membrane models independent of the PA concentration. When bound to the membrane, PLAFP adopts a binding pose where W41 and R82 penetrate the membrane surface and anchor PLAFP. This triggers a separation of the two loop regions containing W41 and R82. Subsequent simulations indicate that PA insert into the β-sandwich of PLAFP, driven by interactions with multiple amino acids besides the W41 and R82 identified during the insertion process. Fine-tuning the protein-membrane and protein-PA interface by mutating a selection of these amino acids may facilitate engineering plant signaling processes by modulating the binding response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kulke
- Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, MI, USA
| | - Evan Kurtz
- Department Of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, MI, USA
| | - Duncan M Boren
- Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, MI, USA; Department Of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, MI, USA
| | - Dayna M Olson
- Department Of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, MI, USA
| | - Amanda M Koenig
- Department Of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, MI, USA
| | - Susanne Hoffmann-Benning
- Department Of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, MI, USA.
| | - Josh V Vermaas
- Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, MI, USA; Department Of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, MI, USA.
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36
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Pacios LF, Sánchez F, Ponz F. Intrinsic disorder in the dynamic evolution of structure, stability, and flexibility of potyviral VLP assemblies: A computational study. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127798. [PMID: 37924902 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127798] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
An all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) study was applied to three viral nanoparticles (VLPs) of Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), a potyvirus: the particles genetically functionalized with two peptides, VIP (human vasoactive intestinal peptide) and VEGFR (peptide derived from the human receptor 3 of the vascular endothelial growth factor), and the non-functionalized VLP. Previous experimental results showed that VIP-VLP was the only construct of the three that was not viable. VLPs subjected to our MD study were modeled by four complete turns of the particle involving 35 subunits of the coat protein (CP). The MD simulations showed differences in structures and interaction energies associated to the crucial contribution of the disordered N-terminal arms of CP to the global stability of the particle. These differences suggested an overall stability greater in VEGFR-VLP and smaller in VIP-VLP as compared to the unfunctionalized VLP. Our novel MD study of potyviral VLPs revealed essential clues about structure and interactions of these assembled protein particles and suggests that the computational prediction of the viability of VLPs can be a valuable contribution in the field of viral nanobiotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Pacios
- Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, ETSIAAB, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Flora Sánchez
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Ponz
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain.
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Raynaud P, Jugnarain V, Vaugrente O, Vallet A, Boulo T, Gauthier C, Inoue A, Sibille N, Gauthier C, Jean-Alphonse F, Reiter E, Crépieux P, Bruneau G. A single-domain intrabody targeting the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor impacts FSH-induced G protein-dependent signalling. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:220-232. [PMID: 37923554 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular variable fragments of heavy-chain antibody from camelids (intra-VHH) have been successfully used as chaperones to solve the 3D structure of active G protein-coupled receptors bound to their transducers. However, their effect on signalling has been poorly explored, although they may provide a better understanding of the relationships between receptor conformation and activity. Here, we isolated and characterized iPRC1, the first intra-VHH recognizing a member of the large glycoprotein hormone receptor family, the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR). This intra-VHH recognizes the FSHR third intracellular loop and decreases cAMP production in response to FSH, without altering Gαs recruitment. Hence, iPRC1 behaves as an allosteric modulator and provides a new tool to complete structure/activity studies performed thus far on this receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Raynaud
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Vinesh Jugnarain
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Océane Vaugrente
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Amandine Vallet
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Thomas Boulo
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Camille Gauthier
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nathalie Sibille
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, University Montpellier, Inserm, France
| | - Christophe Gauthier
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Frédéric Jean-Alphonse
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
- Inria, Inria Saclay-Ile-de-France, Palaiseau, France
| | - Eric Reiter
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
- Inria, Inria Saclay-Ile-de-France, Palaiseau, France
| | - Pascale Crépieux
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
- Inria, Inria Saclay-Ile-de-France, Palaiseau, France
| | - Gilles Bruneau
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
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Rajan D, Amrutha M, George S, Susmitha A, Anburaj AA, Nampoothiri KM. Molecular cloning, overexpression, characterization, and In silico modelling analysis of a novel GDSL autotransporter-dependent outer membrane lipase (OML) of Pseudomonas guariconensis. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 255:128050. [PMID: 37992946 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128050] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The outer membrane lipase (oml) gene, encoding a novel autotransporter-dependent lipase from Pseudomonas guariconensis, was cloned and sequenced. The oml gene has an open reading frame of 1866 bp. It encodes the 621 amino acid autotransporter-dependent GDSL lipase (OML), which has the highest sequence similarity (64.08 %) with the EstA of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PDB:3kvn.1. A). OML was expressed and purified, which showed a purified band of approximately 70 kDa. The purified enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 9 and 40 °C. Substrate specificity studies and kinetic study by Lineweaver-Burk plot of purified OML showed Km of 1.27 mM and Vmax of 333.33 U/mL with p-nitrophenyl palmitate. The purified enzyme showed good stability in the presence of hexane, methanol, and ethanol, while the presence of the metal ion Mg2+ showed maximum lipase activity. Bioinformatics analysis supported the in vitro findings by predicting enzyme substrate specificity towards long-chain fatty acids and fatty acids with shorter chain lengths. The stability of the interaction of the protein-ligand complex (OML-ricinoleic acid) was confirmed using MDS and castor oil bioconversion using purified OML was confirmed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Devi Rajan
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India; University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 695034, Kerala, India
| | - M Amrutha
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Sinumol George
- Cancer Research Program (HPV), Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, India
| | - A Susmitha
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | | | - Kesavan Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India.
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Topitsch A, Schwede T, Pereira J. Outer membrane β-barrel structure prediction through the lens of AlphaFold2. Proteins 2024; 92:3-14. [PMID: 37465978 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Most proteins found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria share a common domain: the transmembrane β-barrel. These outer membrane β-barrels (OMBBs) occur in multiple sizes and different families with a wide range of functions evolved independently by amplification from a pool of homologous ancestral ββ-hairpins. This is part of the reason why predicting their three-dimensional (3D) structure, especially by homology modeling, is a major challenge. Recently, DeepMind's AlphaFold v2 (AF2) became the first structure prediction method to reach close-to-experimental atomic accuracy in CASP even for difficult targets. However, membrane proteins, especially OMBBs, were not abundant during their training, raising the question of how accurate the predictions are for these families. In this study, we assessed the performance of AF2 in the prediction of OMBBs and OMBB-like folds of various topologies using an in-house-developed tool for the analysis of OMBB 3D structures, and barrOs. In agreement with previous studies on other membrane protein classes, our results indicate that AF2 predicts transmembrane β-barrel structures at high accuracy independently of the use of templates, even for novel topologies absent from the training set. These results provide confidence on the models generated by AF2 and open the door to the structural elucidation of novel transmembrane β-barrel topologies identified in high-throughput OMBB annotation studies or designed de novo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Torsten Schwede
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joana Pereira
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
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Huang C, Luo H, Zeng B, Feng C, Chen J, Yuan H, Huang S, Yang B, Zou Y, Liu Y. Identification of two novel and one rare mutation in DYRK1A and prenatal diagnoses in three Chinese families with intellectual Disability-7. Front Genet 2023; 14:1290949. [PMID: 38179410 PMCID: PMC10765505 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1290949] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose: Intellectual disability-7 (MRD7) is a subtype disorder of intellectual disability (MRD) involving feeding difficulties, hypoactivity, and febrile seizures at an age of early onset, then progressive intellectual and physical development deterioration. We purposed to identify the underlying causative genetic factors of three individuals in each Chinese family who presented with symptoms of intellectual disability and facial dysmorphic features. We provided prenatal diagnosis for the three families and genetic counseling for the prevention of this disease. Methods: We collected retrospective clinical diagnostic evidence for the three probands in our study, which included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), electroencephalogram (EEG), and intelligence tests for the three probands in our study. Genetic investigation of the probands and their next of kin was performed by Trio-whole exome sequencing (WES). Sanger sequencing or quantitative PCR technologies were then used as the next step to verify the variants confirmed with Trio-WES for the three families. Moreover, we performed amniocentesis to explore the state of the three pathogenic variants in the fetuses by prenatal molecular genetic diagnosis at an appropriate gestational period for the three families. Results: The three probands and one fetus were clinically diagnosed with microcephaly and exhibited intellectual developmental disability, postnatal feeding difficulties, and facial dysmorphic features. Combining probands' clinical manifestations, Trio-WES uncovered the three heterozygous variants in DYRK1A: a novel variant exon3_exon4del p.(Gly4_Asn109del), a novel variant c.1159C>T p.(Gln387*), and a previously presented but rare pathogenic variant c.1309C>T p.(Arg437*) (NM_001396.5) in three families, respectively. In light of the updated American College of Medical Genetic and Genomics (ACMG) criterion, the variant of exon3_exon4del and c.1159C>T were both classified as likely pathogenic (PSV1+PM6), while c1309C>T was identified as pathogenic (PVS1+PS2_Moderate+PM2). Considering clinical features and molecular testimony, the three probands were confirmed diagnosed with MRD7. These three discovered variants were considered as the three causal mutations for MRD7. Prenatal diagnosis detected the heterozygous dominant variant of c.1159C>T p.(Gln387*) in one of the fetuses, indicating a significant probability of MRD7, subsequently the gestation was intervened by the parents' determination and professional obstetrical operation. On the other side, prenatal molecular genetic testing revealed wild-type alleles in the other two fetuses, and their parents both decided to sustain the gestation. Conclusion: We identified two novel and one rare mutation in DYRK1A which has broadened the spectrum of DYRK1A and provided evidence for the diagnosis of MRD7 at the molecular level. Besides, this study has supported the three families with MRD7 to determine the causative genetic factors efficiently and provide concise genetic counseling for the three families by using Trio-WES technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bicheng Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yongyi Zou
- Department of Medical Genetics, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yanqiu Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Bains A, Fischer K, Guan W, LiWang PJ. The Antiviral Activity of the Lectin Griffithsin against SARS-CoV-2 Is Enhanced by the Presence of Structural Proteins. Viruses 2023; 15:2452. [PMID: 38140693 PMCID: PMC10747160 DOI: 10.3390/v15122452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Although COVID-19 transmission has been reduced by the advent of vaccinations and a variety of rapid monitoring techniques, the SARS-CoV-2 virus itself has shown a remarkable ability to mutate and persist. With this long track record of immune escape, researchers are still exploring prophylactic treatments to curtail future SARS-CoV-2 variants. Specifically, much focus has been placed on the antiviral lectin Griffithsin in preventing spike protein-mediated infection via the hACE2 receptor (direct infection). However, an oft-overlooked aspect of SARS-CoV-2 infection is viral capture by attachment receptors such as DC-SIGN, which is thought to facilitate the initial stages of COVID-19 infection in the lung tissue (called trans-infection). In addition, while immune escape is dictated by mutations in the spike protein, coronaviral virions also incorporate M, N, and E structural proteins within the particle. In this paper, we explored how several structural facets of both the SARS-CoV-2 virion and the antiviral lectin Griffithsin can affect and attenuate the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. We found that Griffithsin was a better inhibitor of hACE2-mediated direct infection when the coronaviral M protein is present compared to when it is absent (possibly providing an explanation regarding why Griffithsin shows better inhibition against authentic SARS-CoV-2 as opposed to pseudotyped viruses, which generally do not contain M) and that Griffithsin was not an effective inhibitor of DC-SIGN-mediated trans-infection. Furthermore, we found that DC-SIGN appeared to mediate trans-infection exclusively via binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, with no significant effect observed when other viral proteins (M, N, and/or E) were present. These results provide etiological data that may help to direct the development of novel antiviral treatments, either by leveraging Griffithsin binding to the M protein as a novel strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection or by narrowing efforts to inhibit trans-infection to focus on DC-SIGN binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjan Bains
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Merced, 5200 North Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343, USA;
| | - Kathryn Fischer
- Quantitative and Systems Biology, University of California Merced, 5200 North Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343, USA;
| | - Wenyan Guan
- Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, University of California Merced, 5200 North Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343, USA;
| | - Patricia J. LiWang
- Molecular Cell Biology, Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California Merced, 5200 North Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343, USA
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Zhao Y, Zheng Z, Zhang Z, Xu Y, Hillpot E, Lin YS, Zakusilo FT, Lu JY, Ablaeva J, Biashad SA, Miller RA, Nevo E, Seluanov A, Gorbunova V. Evolution of high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid is associated with subterranean lifestyle. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8054. [PMID: 38052795 PMCID: PMC10698142 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43623-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid is a major component of extracellular matrix which plays an important role in development, cellular response to injury and inflammation, cell migration, and cancer. The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) contains abundant high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid in its tissues, which contributes to this species' cancer resistance and possibly to its longevity. Here we report that abundant high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid is found in a wide range of subterranean mammalian species, but not in phylogenetically related aboveground species. These subterranean mammalian species accumulate abundant high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid by regulating the expression of genes involved in hyaluronic acid degradation and synthesis and contain unique mutations in these genes. The abundant high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid may benefit the adaptation to subterranean environment by increasing skin elasticity and protecting from oxidative stress due to hypoxic conditions. Our work suggests that high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid has evolved with subterranean lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
- Department of Physiology and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 301158, China
| | - Zhizhong Zheng
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Zhihui Zhang
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Yandong Xu
- Department of Physiology and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 301158, China
| | - Eric Hillpot
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Yifei S Lin
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Frances T Zakusilo
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - J Yuyang Lu
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Julia Ablaeva
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Seyed Ali Biashad
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Richard A Miller
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Eviatar Nevo
- Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Andrei Seluanov
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA.
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA.
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Jäkel T, Raisch L, Richter S, Wirth M, Birenbaum D, Ginting S, Khoprasert Y, Mackenstedt U, Wassermann M. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic characterization of Sarcocystis kani sp. nov. and other novel, closely related Sarcocystis spp. infecting small mammals and colubrid snakes in Asia. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 22:184-198. [PMID: 37915771 PMCID: PMC10615900 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the morphology and phylogenetic relationships of novel and previously recognized Sarcocystis spp. infecting small mammals and colubrid snakes in Asia. The nuclear 18S rRNA and mitochondrial cox1 of Sarcocystis sp.1 from mangrove snakes (Boiga dendrophila) in Thailand and Sarcocystis sp.2 from a ricefield rat (Rattus argentiventer) in Sumatra were partially sequenced. Sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp.1 induced development of sarcocysts in experimentally infected rats, which showed a unique ultrastructure that was observed previously by S.P. Kan in rats from Malaysia; therefore, we describe this species as Sarcocystis kani sp. nov. Its integration into the 18S rRNA phylogeny of Sarcocystis spp. cycling between small mammals and colubrid snakes helped clarify relationships among the so-called S. zuoi-complex of molecularly cryptic species: Sarcocystis kani sp. nov., S. sp.2, S. attenuati, S. scandentiborneensis, and S. zuoi were all included in this clade. Tree topology was resolved into dichotomies congruent with the morphological disparities between the taxa. However, cox1 gene sequencing (including newly sequenced S. singaporensis and S. zamani) revealed that Sarcocystis kani, S. attenuati, and S. scandentiborneensis were identical suggesting a recent, common ancestry. To identify other distinctive features, lineage-specific molecular patterns within both genes were examined revealing that all 18S rRNA sequences of the S. zuoi - complex possess a unique, 7-nt long motif in helix 38 of domain V7 that was different in S. clethrionomyelaphis which branched off basally from the complex. Three-dimensional homology modelling of COX1 protein structure identified amino acid substitutions within the barcode area specific for the S. zuoi-complex and substantial divergence in structurally important amino acids between Sarcocystis species of snakes as definitive hosts and other lineages of the Sarcocystidae. We discuss the utility of selected genes for species delimitation of the Sarcocystis spp. under investigation, which probably evolved during recent radiations of their intermediate and definitive hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Jäkel
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Research and Development Office, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lisa Raisch
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sarah Richter
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Mareike Wirth
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Damaris Birenbaum
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Yuvaluk Khoprasert
- Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Research and Development Office, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ute Mackenstedt
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Marion Wassermann
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Hohenheim, Center of Biodiversity and Integrative Taxonomy, Stuttgart, Germany
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44
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Wallner B. Improved multimer prediction using massive sampling with AlphaFold in CASP15. Proteins 2023; 91:1734-1746. [PMID: 37548092 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26562] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
AlphaFold2 has revolutionized structure prediction by achieving high accuracy comparable to experimentally determined structures. However, there is still room for improvement, especially for challenging cases like multimers. A key to the success of AlphaFold is its ability to assess and rank its own predictions. Our basic idea for the Wallner group in CASP15 was to exploit this excellent scoring function in AlphaFold by massive sampling. To achieve this goal, we conducted AlphaFold runs using six different settings, using templates, without templates, and with an increased number of recycles for both multimer v1 and v2 weights. In all instances, we enabled dropout layers during inference, allowing for sampling of uncertainty and enhancing the diversity of the generated models. In total, 274 289 models were generated for the 38 targets in CASP15, with a median of 4810 models per target. Of these 38 targets, 10 were high quality, 11 were medium quality, 11 were acceptable, and only 6 were incorrect. The improvement over the baseline method, NBIS-AF2-multimer, is substantial, with the mean DockQ increasing from 0.43 to 0.56, with several targets showing a DockQ score increase of +0.6 units. Remarkable, considering Wallner and NBIS-AF2-multimer were using identical input data. The success can be attributed to the diversified sampling using dropout with different settings and, in particular, the use of multimer v1, which is much more susceptible to sampling compared with v2. The method is available here: http://wallnerlab.org/AFsample/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Wallner
- Division of Bioinformatics, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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45
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Liu J, Liu D, He G, Zhang G. Estimating protein complex model accuracy based on ultrafast shape recognition and deep learning in CASP15. Proteins 2023; 91:1861-1870. [PMID: 37553848 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
This article reports and analyzes the results of protein complex model accuracy estimation by our methods (DeepUMQA3 and GraphGPSM) in the 15th Critical Assessment of techniques for protein Structure Prediction (CASP15). The new deep learning-based multimeric complex model accuracy estimation methods are proposed based on the ensemble of three-level features coupling with deep residual/graph neural networks. For the input multimeric complex model, we describe it from three levels: overall complex features, intra-monomer features, and inter-monomer features. We designed an overall ultrafast shape recognition (USR) to characterize the relationship between local residues and the overall complex topology, and an inter-monomer USR to characterize the relationship between the residues of one monomer and the topology of other monomers. DeepUMQA3 (Group name: GuijunLab-RocketX) ranked first in the interface residue accuracy estimation of CASP15. The Pearson correlation between the interface residue Local Distance Difference Test (lDDT) predicted by DeepUMQA3 and the real lDDT is 0.570, the only method that exceeds 0.5. Among the top 5 methods, DeepUMQA3 achieved the highest Pearson correlation of lDDT on 25 out of 39 targets. GraphGPSM (Group name: GuijunLab-PAthreader) has TM-score Pearson correlations greater than 0.9 on 14 targets, showing a good ability to estimate the overall fold accuracy. The DeepUMQA3 server is available at http://zhanglab-bioinf.com/DeepUMQA/ and the GraphGPSM server is available at http://zhanglab-bioinf.com/GraphGPSM/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dong Liu
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guangxing He
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guijun Zhang
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
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46
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Studer G, Tauriello G, Schwede T. Assessment of the assessment-All about complexes. Proteins 2023; 91:1850-1860. [PMID: 37858934 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Predicting model quality is a fundamental component of any modeling procedure, and blind assessment of these methods constitutes a crucial aspect of the Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP) experiment. Historically, the main focus was on assessing methods that predict global and per-residue accuracies in tertiary structure models. This focus shifted with the community's increased efforts in modeling complexes and assemblies. We asked the community to process the models from the CASP15 assembly category and provide estimates of the accuracy of the predicted quaternary structure, both globally and at the local interface level. Besides identifying remarkable accuracy of modeling groups in assessing their own predictions, we set up a benchmarking pipeline to highlight different aspects of quaternary structure models and introduced a simple consensus EMA method as baseline. While participating methods showed commendable performance, the baseline was difficult to surpass. It is important to point out that prediction performance varies for the individual CASP targets, highlighting potential areas of improvement and challenges ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Studer
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gerardo Tauriello
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Torsten Schwede
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
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Lu H, Xue M, Nie X, Luo H, Tan Z, Yang X, Shi H, Li X, Wang T. Glycoside hydrolases in the biodegradation of lignocellulosic biomass. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:402. [PMID: 37982085 PMCID: PMC10654287 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03819-1] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Lignocellulose is a plentiful and intricate biomass substance made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose are polysaccharides characterized by different compositions and degrees of polymerization. As renewable resources, their applications are eco-friendly and can help reduce reliance on petrochemical resources. This review aims to illustrate cellulose, hemicellulose, and their structures and hydrolytic enzymes. To obtain desirable enzyme sources for the high hydrolysis of lignocellulose, highly stable, efficient and thermophilic enzyme sources, and new technologies, such as rational design and machine learning, have been introduced in detail. Generally, the efficient biodegradation of abundant natural biomass into fermentable sugars or other intermediates has great potential in practical applications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03819-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglin Lu
- Faculty of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003 China
| | - Maoyuan Xue
- Faculty of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003 China
| | - Xinling Nie
- Faculty of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003 China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for the Chemistry and Utilization of Agro-Forest Biomass, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037 China
| | - Hongzheng Luo
- Faculty of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003 China
| | - Zhongbiao Tan
- Faculty of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003 China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 USA
| | - Hao Shi
- Faculty of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003 China
| | - Xun Li
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for the Chemistry and Utilization of Agro-Forest Biomass, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037 China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 USA
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de Souza AS, de Souza RF, Guzzo CR. Cooperative and structural relationships of the trimeric Spike with infectivity and antibody escape of the strains Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (BA.2, BA.5, and BQ.1). J Comput Aided Mol Des 2023; 37:585-606. [PMID: 37792106 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-023-00534-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we conducted simulations of trimeric Spike from several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (Delta and Omicron sub-variants BA.2, BA.5, and BQ.1) and investigated the mechanisms by which specific mutations confer resistance to neutralizing antibodies. We observed that the mutations primarily affect the cooperation between protein domains within and between protomers. The substitutions K417N and L452R expand hydrogen bonding interactions, reducing their interaction with neutralizing antibodies. By interacting with nearby residues, the K444T and N460K mutations in the SpikeBQ.1 variant potentially reduces solvent exposure, thereby promoting resistance to antibodies. We also examined the impact of D614G, P681R, and P681H substitutions on Spike protein structure that may be related to infectivity. The D614G substitution influences communication between a glycine residue and neighboring domains, affecting the transition between up- and -down RBD states. The P681R mutation, found in the Delta variant, enhances correlations between protein subunits, while the P681H mutation in Omicron sub-variants weakens long-range interactions that may be associated with reduced fusogenicity. Using a multiple linear regression model, we established a connection between inter-protomer communication and loss of sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Our findings underscore the importance of structural communication between protein domains and provide insights into potential mechanisms of immune evasion by SARS-CoV-2. Overall, this study deepens our understanding of how specific mutations impact SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and shed light on how the virus evades the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anacleto Silva de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Cidade Universitária, Sao Paulo, SP, 5508-900, Brazil.
| | - Robson Francisco de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Cidade Universitária, Sao Paulo, SP, 5508-900, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Rodrigues Guzzo
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Cidade Universitária, Sao Paulo, SP, 5508-900, Brazil.
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Kryshtafovych A, Antczak M, Szachniuk M, Zok T, Kretsch RC, Rangan R, Pham P, Das R, Robin X, Studer G, Durairaj J, Eberhardt J, Sweeney A, Topf M, Schwede T, Fidelis K, Moult J. New prediction categories in CASP15. Proteins 2023; 91:1550-1557. [PMID: 37306011 PMCID: PMC10713864 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Prediction categories in the Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction (CASP) experiments change with the need to address specific problems in structure modeling. In CASP15, four new prediction categories were introduced: RNA structure, ligand-protein complexes, accuracy of oligomeric structures and their interfaces, and ensembles of alternative conformations. This paper lists technical specifications for these categories and describes their integration in the CASP data management system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maciej Antczak
- Institute of Computing Science, Poznan University of TechnologyPoznanPoland
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznanPoland
| | - Marta Szachniuk
- Institute of Computing Science, Poznan University of TechnologyPoznanPoland
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznanPoland
| | - Tomasz Zok
- Institute of Computing Science, Poznan University of TechnologyPoznanPoland
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznanPoland
| | - Rachael C. Kretsch
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ramya Rangan
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Phillip Pham
- Biochemistry DepartmentStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rhiju Das
- Biochemistry DepartmentStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Xavier Robin
- Biozentrum, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of BioinformaticsBaselSwitzerland
| | - Gabriel Studer
- Biozentrum, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of BioinformaticsBaselSwitzerland
| | - Janani Durairaj
- Biozentrum, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of BioinformaticsBaselSwitzerland
| | - Jerome Eberhardt
- Biozentrum, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of BioinformaticsBaselSwitzerland
| | - Aaron Sweeney
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Leibniz‐Institut für Virologie (LIV)HamburgGermany
| | - Maya Topf
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Leibniz‐Institut für Virologie (LIV)HamburgGermany
- Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE)HamburgGermany
| | - Torsten Schwede
- Biozentrum, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of BioinformaticsBaselSwitzerland
| | | | - John Moult
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Department of Cell Biology and Molecular genetics, University of MarylandRockvilleMarylandUSA
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50
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Hessel SS, Dwivany FM, Zainuddin IM, Wikantika K, Celik I, Emran TB, Tallei TE. A computational simulation appraisal of banana lectin as a potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 candidate by targeting the receptor-binding domain. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2023; 21:148. [PMID: 38015308 PMCID: PMC10684481 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00569-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ongoing concern surrounding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) primarily stems from continuous mutations in the genome of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to the emergence of numerous variants. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) in the S1 subunit of the S protein of the virus plays a crucial role in recognizing the host's angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor and facilitating cell membrane fusion processes, making it a potential target for preventing viral entrance into cells. This research aimed to determine the potential of banana lectin (BanLec) proteins to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 attachment to host cells by interacting with RBD through computational modeling. MATERIALS AND METHODS The BanLecs were selected through a sequence analysis process. Subsequently, the genes encoding BanLec proteins were retrieved from the Banana Genome Hub database. The FGENESH online tool was then employed to predict protein sequences, while web-based tools were utilized to assess the physicochemical properties, allergenicity, and toxicity of BanLecs. The RBDs of SARS-CoV-2 were modeled using the SWISS-MODEL in the following step. Molecular docking procedures were conducted with the aid of ClusPro 2.0 and HDOCK web servers. The three-dimensional structures of the docked complexes were visualized using PyMOL. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate and validate the interactions of the complexes exhibiting the highest interactions, facilitating the simulation of their dynamic properties. RESULTS The BanLec proteins were successfully modeled based on the RNA sequences from two species of banana (Musa sp.). Moreover, an amino acid modification in the BanLec protein was made to reduce its mitogenicity. Theoretical allergenicity and toxicity predictions were conducted on the BanLecs, which suggested they were likely non-allergenic and contained no discernible toxic domains. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that both altered and wild-type BanLecs exhibited strong affinity with the RBD of different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Further analysis of the molecular docking results showed that the BanLec proteins interacted with the active site of RBD, particularly the key amino acids residues responsible for RBD's binding to hACE2. Molecular dynamics simulation indicated a stable interaction between the Omicron RBD and BanLec, maintaining a root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) of approximately 0.2 nm for a duration of up to 100 ns. The individual proteins also had stable structural conformations, and the complex demonstrated a favorable binding-free energy (BFE) value. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm that the BanLec protein is a promising candidate for developing a potential therapeutic agent for combating COVID-19. Furthermore, the results suggest the possibility of BanLec as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent and highlight the need for further studies to examine the protein's safety and effectiveness as a potent antiviral agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Safitri Hessel
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, West Java, 40132, Indonesia
| | - Fenny Martha Dwivany
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, West Java, 40132, Indonesia.
| | - Ima Mulyama Zainuddin
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42 box 2455, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ketut Wikantika
- Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Science Research Group, Faculty of Earth Science and Technology (FITB), Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, West Java, 40132, Indonesia
| | - Ismail Celik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Trina Ekawati Tallei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, North Sulawesi, 95115, Indonesia.
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