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Thayer KM, Stetson S, Caballero F, Chiu C, Han ISM. Navigating the complexity of p53-DNA binding: implications for cancer therapy. Biophys Rev 2024; 16:479-496. [PMID: 39309126 PMCID: PMC11415564 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-024-01207-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Abstract The tumor suppressor protein p53, a transcription factor playing a key role in cancer prevention, interacts with DNA as its primary means of determining cell fate in the event of DNA damage. When it becomes mutated, it opens damaged cells to the possibility of reproducing unchecked, which can lead to formation of cancerous tumors. Despite its critical role, therapies at the molecular level to restore p53 native function remain elusive, due to its complex nature. Nevertheless, considerable information has been amassed, and new means of investigating the problem have become available. Objectives We consider structural, biophysical, and bioinformatic insights and their implications for the role of direct and indirect readout and how they contribute to binding site recognition, particularly those of low consensus. We then pivot to consider advances in computational approaches to drug discovery. Materials and methods We have conducted a review of recent literature pertinent to the p53 protein. Results Considerable literature corroborates the idea that p53 is a complex allosteric protein that discriminates its binding sites not only via consensus sequence through direct H-bond contacts, but also a complex combination of factors involving the flexibility of the binding site. New computational methods have emerged capable of capturing such information, which can then be utilized as input to machine learning algorithms towards the goal of more intelligent and efficient de novo allosteric drug design. Conclusions Recent improvements in machine learning coupled with graph theory and sector analysis hold promise for advances to more intelligently design allosteric effectors that may be able to restore native p53-DNA binding activity to mutant proteins. Clinical relevance The ideas brought to light by this review constitute a significant advance that can be applied to ongoing biophysical studies of drugs for p53, paving the way for the continued development of new methodologies for allosteric drugs. Our discoveries hold promise to provide molecular therapeutics which restore p53 native activity, thereby offering new insights for cancer therapies. Graphical Abstract Structural representation of the p53 DBD (PDBID 1TUP). DNA consensus sequence is shown in gray, and the protein is shown in blue. Red beads indicate hotspot residue mutations, green beads represent DNA interacting residues, and yellow beads represent both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M. Thayer
- College of Integrative Sciences, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
- Molecular Biophysics Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
| | - Sean Stetson
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
| | - Fernando Caballero
- College of Integrative Sciences, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
| | - Christopher Chiu
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
| | - In Sub Mark Han
- Molecular Biophysics Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457 USA
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Abreu RBV, Pereira AS, Rosa MN, Ashton-Prolla P, Silva VAO, Melendez ME, Palmero EI. Functional evaluation of germline TP53 variants identified in Brazilian families at-risk for Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17187. [PMID: 39060302 PMCID: PMC11282216 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67810-3] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Germline TP53 pathogenic variants can lead to a cancer susceptibility syndrome known as Li-Fraumeni (LFS). Variants affecting its activity can drive tumorigenesis altering p53 pathways and their identification is crucial for assessing individual risk. This study explored the functional impact of TP53 missense variants on its transcription factor activity. We selected seven TP53 missense variants (c.129G > C, c.320A > G, c.417G > T, c.460G > A, c,522G > T, c.589G > A and c.997C > T) identified in Brazilian families at-risk for LFS. Variants were created through site-directed mutagenesis and transfected into SK-OV-3 cells to assess their transcription activation capabilities. Variants K139N and V197M displayed significantly reduced transactivation activity in a TP53-dependent luciferase reporter assay. Additionally, K139N negatively impacted CDKN1A and MDM2 expression and had a limited effect on GADD45A and PMAIP1 upon irradiation-induced DNA damage. Variant V197M demonstrated functional impact in all target genes evaluated and loss of Ser15 phosphorylation. K139N and V197M variants presented a reduction of p21 levels after irradiation. Our data show that K139N and V197M negatively impact p53 functions, supporting their classification as pathogenic variants. This underscores the significance of conducting functional studies on germline TP53 missense variants classified as variants of uncertain significance to ensure proper management of LFS-related cancer risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata B V Abreu
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Basic Biology of Stem Cells (Labcet), Carlos Chagas Institute, Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Ariane S Pereira
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcela N Rosa
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patricia Ashton-Prolla
- Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Viviane A O Silva
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Matias E Melendez
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edenir I Palmero
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Genetics, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Suwita JP, Voong CK, Ly E, Goodrich JA, Kugel JF. Single molecule studies characterize the kinetic mechanism of tetrameric p53 binding to different native response elements. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286193. [PMID: 37582100 PMCID: PMC10426914 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional activator p53 is a tumor suppressor protein that controls cellular pathways important for cell fate decisions, including cell cycle arrest, senescence, and apoptosis. It functions as a tetramer by binding to specific DNA sequences known as response elements (REs) to control transcription via interactions with co-regulatory complexes. Despite its biological importance, the mechanism by which p53 binds REs remains unclear. To address this, we have used an in vitro single molecule fluorescence approach to quantify the dynamic binding of full-length human p53 to five native REs in real time under equilibrium conditions. Our approach enabled us to quantify the oligomeric state of DNA-bound p53. We found little evidence that dimer/DNA complexes form as intermediates en route to binding or dissociation of p53 tetramer/DNA complexes. Interestingly, however, at some REs dimers can rapidly exchange from tetramer/DNA complexes. Real time kinetic measurements enabled us to determine rate constants for association and dissociation at all five REs, which revealed two kinetically distinct populations of tetrameric p53/RE complexes. For the less stable population, the rate constants for dissociation were larger at REs closest to consensus, showing that the more favorable binding sequences form the least kinetically stable complexes. Together our single molecule measurements provide new insight into mechanisms by which tetrameric p53 forms complexes on different native REs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes P. Suwita
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States of America
| | - Calvin K. Voong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States of America
| | - Elina Ly
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States of America
| | - James A. Goodrich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States of America
| | - Jennifer F. Kugel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States of America
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Azemin WA, Alias N, Ali AM, Shamsir MS. Structural and functional characterisation of HepTH1-5 peptide as a potential hepcidin replacement. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:681-704. [PMID: 34870559 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.2011415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepcidin is a principal regulator of iron homeostasis and its dysregulation has been recognised as a causative factor in cancers and iron disorders. The strategy of manipulating the presence of hepcidin peptide has been used for cancer treatment. However, this has demonstrated poor efficiency and has been short-lived in patients. Many studies reported using minihepcidin therapy as an alternative way to treat hepcidin dysregulation, but this was only applied to non-cancer patients. Highly conserved fish hepcidin protein, HepTH1-5, was investigated to determine its potential use in developing a hepcidin replacement for human hepcidin (Hepc25) and as a therapeutic agent by targeting the tumour suppressor protein, p53, through structure-function analysis. The authors found that HepTH1-5 is stably bound to ferroportin, compared to Hepc25, by triggering the ferroportin internalisation via Lys42 and Lys270 ubiquitination, in a similar manner to the Hepc25 activity. Moreover, the residues Ile24 and Gly24, along with copper and zinc ligands, interacted with similar residues, Lys24 and Asp1 of Hepc25, respectively, showing that those molecules are crucial to the hepcidin replacement strategy. HepTH1-5 interacts with p53 and activates its function through phosphorylation. This finding shows that HepTH1-5 might be involved in the apoptosis signalling pathway upon a DNA damage response. This study will be very helpful for understanding the mechanism of the hepcidin replacement and providing insights into the HepTH1-5 peptide as a new target for hepcidin and cancer therapeutics.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Atirah Azemin
- School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Bioinformatics Research Group (BIRG), Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Nadiawati Alias
- School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Abdul Manaf Ali
- School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shahir Shamsir
- Bioinformatics Research Group (BIRG), Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.,Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Higher Education Hub, Muar, Johor, Malaysia
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Marques MA, de Andrade GC, Silva JL, de Oliveira GAP. Protein of a thousand faces: The tumor-suppressive and oncogenic responses of p53. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:944955. [PMID: 36090037 PMCID: PMC9452956 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.944955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The p53 protein is a pleiotropic regulator working as a tumor suppressor and as an oncogene. Depending on the cellular insult and the mutational status, p53 may trigger opposing activities such as cell death or survival, senescence and cell cycle arrest or proliferative signals, antioxidant or prooxidant activation, glycolysis, or oxidative phosphorylation, among others. By augmenting or repressing specific target genes or directly interacting with cellular partners, p53 accomplishes a particular set of activities. The mechanism in which p53 is activated depends on increased stability through post-translational modifications (PTMs) and the formation of higher-order structures (HOS). The intricate cell death and metabolic p53 response are reviewed in light of gaining stability via PTM and HOS formation in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra A. Marques
- *Correspondence: Mayra A. Marques, ; Guilherme A. P. de Oliveira,
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Mehta S, Campbell H, Drummond CJ, Li K, Murray K, Slatter T, Bourdon JC, Braithwaite AW. Adaptive homeostasis and the p53 isoform network. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e53085. [PMID: 34779563 PMCID: PMC8647153 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
All living organisms have developed processes to sense and address environmental changes to maintain a stable internal state (homeostasis). When activated, the p53 tumour suppressor maintains cell and organ integrity and functions in response to homeostasis disruptors (stresses) such as infection, metabolic alterations and cellular damage. Thus, p53 plays a fundamental physiological role in maintaining organismal homeostasis. The TP53 gene encodes a network of proteins (p53 isoforms) with similar and distinct biochemical functions. The p53 network carries out multiple biological activities enabling cooperation between individual cells required for long‐term survival of multicellular organisms (animals) in response to an ever‐changing environment caused by mutation, infection, metabolic alteration or damage. In this review, we suggest that the p53 network has evolved as an adaptive response to pathogen infections and other environmental selection pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunali Mehta
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hamish Campbell
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Catherine J Drummond
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kunyu Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kaisha Murray
- Dundee Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Tania Slatter
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jean-Christophe Bourdon
- Dundee Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Antony W Braithwaite
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Senitzki A, Safieh J, Sharma V, Golovenko D, Danin-Poleg Y, Inga A, Haran TE. The complex architecture of p53 binding sites. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:1364-1382. [PMID: 33444431 PMCID: PMC7897521 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequence-specific protein-DNA interactions are at the heart of the response of the tumor-suppressor p53 to numerous physiological and stress-related signals. Large variability has been previously reported in p53 binding to and transactivating from p53 response elements (REs) due, at least in part, to changes in direct (base) and indirect (shape) readouts of p53 REs. Here, we dissect p53 REs to decipher the mechanism by which p53 optimizes this highly regulated variable level of interaction with its DNA binding sites. We show that hemi-specific binding is more prevalent in p53 REs than previously envisioned. We reveal that sequences flanking the REs modulate p53 binding and activity and show that these effects extend to 4–5 bp from the REs. Moreover, we show here that the arrangement of p53 half-sites within its REs, relative to transcription direction, has been fine-tuned by selection pressure to optimize and regulate the response levels from p53 REs. This directionality in the REs arrangement is at least partly encoded in the structural properties of the REs. Furthermore, we show here that in the p21-5′ RE the orientation of the half-sites is such that the effect of the flanking sequences is minimized and we discuss its advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alon Senitzki
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Jessy Safieh
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Vasundhara Sharma
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, TN, Italy
| | - Dmitrij Golovenko
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Yael Danin-Poleg
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Alberto Inga
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, TN, Italy
| | - Tali E Haran
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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