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Beriashvili D, Zhou J, Liu Y, Folkers GE, Baldus M. Cellular Applications of DNP Solid-State NMR - State of the Art and a Look to the Future. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400323. [PMID: 38451060 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400323] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Sensitivity enhanced dynamic nuclear polarization solid-state NMR is emerging as a powerful technique for probing the structural properties of conformationally homogenous and heterogenous biomolecular species irrespective of size at atomic resolution within their native environments. Herein we detail advancements that have made acquiring such data, specifically within the confines of intact bacterial and eukaryotic cell a reality and further discuss the type of structural information that can presently be garnered by the technique's exploitation. Subsequently, we discuss bottlenecks that have thus far curbed cellular DNP-ssNMR's broader adoption namely due a lack of sensitivity and spectral resolution. We also explore possible solutions ranging from utilization of new pulse sequences, design of better performing polarizing agents, and application of additional biochemical/ cell biological methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Beriashvili
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padaulaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jiaxin Zhou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics, Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, P. R. China
| | - Yangping Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics, Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, P. R. China
| | - Gert E Folkers
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padaulaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Baldus
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padaulaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Liu Z, Grigas AT, Sumner J, Knab E, Davis CM, O'Hern CS. Identifying the minimal sets of distance restraints for FRET-assisted protein structural modeling. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2405.07983v1. [PMID: 38800659 PMCID: PMC11118665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Proteins naturally occur in crowded cellular environments and interact with other proteins, nucleic acids, and organelles. Since most previous experimental protein structure determination techniques require that proteins occur in idealized, non-physiological environments, the effects of realistic cellular environments on protein structure are largely unexplored. Recently, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) has been shown to be an effective experimental method for investigating protein structure in vivo. Inter-residue distances measured in vivo can be incorporated as restraints in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to model protein structural dynamics in vivo. Since most FRET studies only obtain inter-residue separations for a small number of amino acid pairs, it is important to determine the minimum number of restraints in the MD simulations that are required to achieve a given root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) from the experimental structural ensemble. Further, what is the optimal method for selecting these inter-residue restraints? Here, we implement several methods for selecting the most important FRET pairs and determine the number of pairs N r that are needed to induce conformational changes in proteins between two experimentally determined structures. We find that enforcing only a small fraction of restraints, N r / N ≲ 0.08 , where N is the number of amino acids, can induce the conformational changes. These results establish the efficacy of FRET-assisted MD simulations for atomic scale structural modeling of proteins in vivo. Significance Determining protein structure in vivo is essential for understanding protein function. Most protein structures have been studied in non-physiological conditions using x-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy. Thus, we do not know whether the cellular environment significantly affects protein structure. We emphasize the benefits of FRET-assisted molecular dynamics simulations in characterizing protein structure in vivo at the atomic scale. We identify the minimum number of FRET pairs that can induce conformational changes in several proteins, including one that has been characterized using in-cell NMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoyi Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
- Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Alex T Grigas
- Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
- Graduate Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Jacob Sumner
- Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
- Graduate Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Edward Knab
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Caitlin M Davis
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Corey S O'Hern
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
- Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
- Graduate Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
- Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
- Department of Applied Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
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Zhang Z, Kato K, Tamaki H, Matsuki Y. Background signal suppression by opposite polarity subtraction for targeted DNP NMR spectroscopy on mixture samples. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:9880-9890. [PMID: 38317640 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp06280e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
A novel method for background signal suppression is introduced to improve the selectivity of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) NMR spectroscopy in the study of target molecules within complex mixtures. The method uses subtraction between positively and negatively enhanced DNP spectra, leading to an improved contrast factor, which is the ratio between the target and background signal intensities. The proposed approach was experimentally validated using a reverse-micelle system that confines the target molecules together with the polarizing agent, OX063 trityl. A substantial increase in the contrast factor was observed, and the contrast factor was optimized through careful selection of the DNP build-up time. A simulation study based on the experimental results provides insights into a strategy for choosing the appropriate DNP build-up time and the corresponding selectivity of the method. Further analysis revealed a broad applicability of the technique, encompassing studies from large biomolecules to surface-modified polymers, depending on the nuclear spin diffusion rate with a range of gyromagnetic ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongliang Zhang
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Ken Kato
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Hajime Tamaki
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Yoh Matsuki
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
- Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
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Prymaczok NC, De Francesco PN, Mazzetti S, Humbert-Claude M, Tenenbaum L, Cappelletti G, Masliah E, Perello M, Riek R, Gerez JA. Cell-to-cell transmitted alpha-synuclein recapitulates experimental Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2024; 10:10. [PMID: 38184623 PMCID: PMC10771530 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00618-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is characterized by a progressive accumulation of alpha-Synuclein (αSyn) neuronal inclusions called Lewy bodies in the nervous system. Lewy bodies can arise from the cell-to-cell propagation of αSyn, which can occur via sequential steps of secretion and uptake. Here, by fusing a removable short signal peptide to the N-terminus of αSyn, we developed a novel mouse model with enhanced αSyn secretion and cell-to-cell transmission. Expression of the secreted αSyn in the mouse brain was under the control of a novel hybrid promoter in combination with adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9). This combination of promoter and viral vector induced a robust expression in neurons but not in the glia of injected mice. Biochemical characterization of the secreted αSyn revealed that, in cultured cells, this protein is released to the extracellular milieu via conventional secretion. The released αSyn is then internalized and processed by acceptor cells via the endosome-lysosome pathway indicating that the secreted αSyn is cell-to-cell transmitted. The secreted αSyn is aggregation-prone and amyloidogenic, and when expressed in the brain of wild-type non-transgenic mice, it induces a Parkinson's disease-like phenotype that includes a robust αSyn pathology in the substantia nigra, neuronal loss, neuroinflammation, and motor deficits, all the key features of experimental animal models of Parkinson's disease. In summary, a novel animal model of Parkinson's disease based on enhanced cell-to-cell transmission of αSyn was developed. The neuron-produced cell-to-cell transmitted αSyn triggers all phenotypic features of experimental Parkinson's disease in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Cecilia Prymaczok
- Institute of Molecular Physical Science, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Nicolas De Francesco
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology (IMBICE), dependent of the Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission and University of La Plata Buenos Aires, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Samanta Mazzetti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milano, Italy
| | - Marie Humbert-Claude
- Laboratory of Neurotherapies and NeuroModulation, Clinical Neuroscience Department, Center for Neuroscience Research, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Liliane Tenenbaum
- Laboratory of Neurotherapies and NeuroModulation, Clinical Neuroscience Department, Center for Neuroscience Research, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milano, Italy
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Division of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging/NIH, 7201, Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario Perello
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology (IMBICE), dependent of the Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission and University of La Plata Buenos Aires, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Roland Riek
- Institute of Molecular Physical Science, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juan Atilio Gerez
- Institute of Molecular Physical Science, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Kadavath H, Cecilia Prymaczok N, Eichmann C, Riek R, Gerez JA. Multi-Dimensional Structure and Dynamics Landscape of Proteins in Mammalian Cells Revealed by In-Cell NMR. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202213976. [PMID: 36379877 PMCID: PMC10107511 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202213976] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Governing function, half-life and subcellular localization, the 3D structure and dynamics of proteins are in nature constantly changing in a tightly regulated manner to fulfill the physiological and adaptive requirements of the cells. To find evidence for this hypothesis, we applied in-cell NMR to three folded model proteins and propose that the splitting of cross peaks constitutes an atomic fingerprint of distinct structural states that arise from multiple target binding co-existing inside mammalian cells. These structural states change upon protein loss of function or subcellular localisation into distinct cell compartments. In addition to peak splitting, we observed NMR signal intensity attenuations indicative of transient interactions with other molecules and dynamics on the microsecond to millisecond time scale.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cédric Eichmann
- ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-weg 2, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roland Riek
- ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-weg 2, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
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Nam K, Wolf-Watz M. Protein dynamics: The future is bright and complicated! STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS (MELVILLE, N.Y.) 2023; 10:014301. [PMID: 36865927 PMCID: PMC9974214 DOI: 10.1063/4.0000179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Biological life depends on motion, and this manifests itself in proteins that display motion over a formidable range of time scales spanning from femtoseconds vibrations of atoms at enzymatic transition states, all the way to slow domain motions occurring on micro to milliseconds. An outstanding challenge in contemporary biophysics and structural biology is a quantitative understanding of the linkages among protein structure, dynamics, and function. These linkages are becoming increasingly explorable due to conceptual and methodological advances. In this Perspective article, we will point toward future directions of the field of protein dynamics with an emphasis on enzymes. Research questions in the field are becoming increasingly complex such as the mechanistic understanding of high-order interaction networks in allosteric signal propagation through a protein matrix, or the connection between local and collective motions. In analogy to the solution to the "protein folding problem," we argue that the way forward to understanding these and other important questions lies in the successful integration of experiment and computation, while utilizing the present rapid expansion of sequence and structure space. Looking forward, the future is bright, and we are in a period where we are on the doorstep to, at least in part, comprehend the importance of dynamics for biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwangho Nam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
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