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Lin TC, Shih O, Tsai TY, Yeh YQ, Liao KF, Mansel BW, Shiu YJ, Chang CF, Su AC, Chen YR, Jeng US. Binding structures of SERF1a with NT17-polyQ peptides of huntingtin exon 1 revealed by SEC-SWAXS, NMR and molecular simulation. IUCRJ 2024; 11:849-858. [PMID: 39120045 PMCID: PMC11364024 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252524006341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The aberrant fibrillization of huntingtin exon 1 (Httex1) characterized by an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tract is a defining feature of Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. Recent investigations underscore the involvement of a small EDRK-rich factor 1a (SERF1a) in promoting Httex1 fibrillization through interactions with its N terminus. By establishing an integrated approach with size-exclusion-column-based small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SEC-SWAXS), NMR, and molecular simulations using Rosetta, the analysis here reveals a tight binding of two NT17 fragments of Httex1 (comprising the initial 17 amino acids at the N terminus) to the N-terminal region of SERF1a. In contrast, examination of the complex structure of SERF1a with a coiled NT17-polyQ peptide (33 amino acids in total) indicates sparse contacts of the NT17 and polyQ segments with the N-terminal side of SERF1a. Furthermore, the integrated SEC-SWAXS and molecular-simulation analysis suggests that the coiled NT17 segment can transform into a helical conformation when associated with a polyQ segment exhibiting high helical content. Intriguingly, NT17-polyQ peptides with enhanced secondary structures display diminished interactions with SERF1a. This insight into the conformation-dependent binding of NT17 provides clues to a catalytic association mechanism underlying SERF1a's facilitation of Httext1 fibrillization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien-Chang Lin
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchu300044Taiwan
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research CenterHsinchu300092Taiwan
| | - Orion Shih
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research CenterHsinchu300092Taiwan
| | - Tien-Ying Tsai
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei115024Taiwan
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei115024, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical SciencesNational Taiwan UniversityTaipei106319Taiwan
| | - Yi-Qi Yeh
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research CenterHsinchu300092Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Fen Liao
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research CenterHsinchu300092Taiwan
| | | | - Ying-Jen Shiu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research CenterHsinchu300092Taiwan
| | - Chi-Fon Chang
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei115024Taiwan
| | - An-Chung Su
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchu300044Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ru Chen
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei115024Taiwan
| | - U-Ser Jeng
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchu300044Taiwan
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research CenterHsinchu300092Taiwan
- College of Semiconductor ResearchNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchu300044Taiwan
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Qi S, Peng Y, Wang G, Zhang X, Liu M, He L. A tale of dual functions of SERF family proteins in regulating amyloid formation. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300727. [PMID: 38100267 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300727] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The abnormal aggregation of proteins is a significant pathological hallmark of diseases, such as the amyloid formation associated with fused in sarcoma protein (FUS) in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diseases. Understanding which cellular components and how these components regulate the process of abnormal protein aggregation in living organisms is crucial for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. MOAG-4/SERF is a conserved family of proteins with rich positive charged residues, which was initially identified as an enhancer for the formation of amyloids in C. elegans. Knocking out SERF impedes the amyloid formation of various proteins, including α-synuclein and β-amyloid, which are linked to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, respectively. However, recent studies revealed SERF exhibited dual functions, as it could both promote and inhibit the fibril formation of the neurodegenerative disease-related amyloidogenic proteins. The connection between functions and structure basis of SERF in regulating the amyloid formation is still unclear. This review will outline the hallmark proteins in neurodegenerative diseases, summarize the contradictory role of the SERF protein family in promoting and inhibiting the aggregation of neurodegenerative proteins, and finally explore the potential structural basis and functional selectivity of the SERF protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixing Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Maili Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
- Optics Valley Laboratory, Wu Han Shi, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Lichun He
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
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