1
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Tang TMS, Luk LYP. Towards controlling activity of a peptide asparaginyl ligase (PAL) by lumazine synthetase compartmentalization. Faraday Discuss 2024. [PMID: 38832470 DOI: 10.1039/d4fd00002a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Peptide asparaginyl ligases (PALs) hold significant potential in protein bioconjugation due to their excellent kinetic properties and broad substrate compatibility. However, realizing their full potential in biocatalytic applications requires precise control of their activity. Inspired by nature, we aimed to compartmentalize a representative PAL, OaAEP1-C247A, within protein containers to create artificial organelles with substrate sorting capability. Two encapsulation approaches were explored using engineered lumazine synthases (AaLS). The initial strategy involved tagging the PAL with a super-positively charged GFP(+36) for encapsulation into the super-negatively charged AaLS-13 variant, but it resulted in undesired truncation of the enzyme. The second approach involved genetic fusion of the OaAEP1-C247A with a circularly permutated AaLS variant (cpAaLS) and its co-production with AaLS-13, which successfully enabled compartmentalization of the PAL within a patch-work protein cage. Although the caged PAL retained its activity, it was significantly reduced compared to the free enzyme (∼30-40-fold), likely caused by issues related to OaAEP1-C247A stability and folding. Nevertheless, these findings demonstrated the feasibility of the AaLS encapsulation approach and encourage further optimization in the design of peptide-ligating artificial organelles in E. coli, aiming for a more effective and stable system for protein modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Simon Tang
- School of Chemistry & Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Main Building, Room 1.54, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
| | - Louis Y P Luk
- School of Chemistry & Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Main Building, Room 1.54, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
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2
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Kwon S, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Pore engineering as a general strategy to improve protein-based enzyme nanoreactor performance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.592161. [PMID: 38746127 PMCID: PMC11092584 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.592161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Enzyme nanoreactors are nanoscale compartments consisting of encapsulated enzymes and a selectively permeable barrier. Sequestration and co-localization of enzymes can increase catalytic activity, stability, and longevity, highly desirable features for many biotechnological and biomedical applications of enzyme catalysts. One promising strategy to construct enzyme nanoreactors is to repurpose protein nanocages found in nature. However, protein-based enzyme nanoreactors often exhibit decreased catalytic activity, partially caused by a mismatch of protein shell selectivity and the substrate requirements of encapsulated enzymes. No broadly applicable and modular protein-based nanoreactor platform is currently available. Here, we introduce a pore-engineered universal enzyme nanoreactor platform based on encapsulins - microbial self-assembling protein nanocompartments with programmable and selective enzyme packaging capabilities. We structurally characterize our protein shell designs via cryo-electron microscopy and highlight their polymorphic nature. Through fluorescence polarization assays, we show their improved molecular flux behavior and highlight their expanded substrate range via a number of proof-of-concept enzyme nanoreactor designs. This work lays the foundation for utilizing our encapsulin-based nanoreactor platform for future biotechnological and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokmu Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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3
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Hori M, Steinauer A, Tetter S, Hälg J, Manz EM, Hilvert D. Stimulus-responsive assembly of nonviral nucleocapsids. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3576. [PMID: 38678040 PMCID: PMC11055949 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47808-1] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Controlled assembly of a protein shell around a viral genome is a key step in the life cycle of many viruses. Here we report a strategy for regulating the co-assembly of nonviral proteins and nucleic acids into highly ordered nucleocapsids in vitro. By fusing maltose binding protein to the subunits of NC-4, an engineered protein cage that encapsulates its own encoding mRNA, we successfully blocked spontaneous capsid assembly, allowing isolation of the individual monomers in soluble form. To initiate RNA-templated nucleocapsid formation, the steric block can be simply removed by selective proteolysis. Analyses by transmission and cryo-electron microscopy confirmed that the resulting assemblies are structurally identical to their RNA-containing counterparts produced in vivo. Enzymatically triggered cage formation broadens the range of RNA molecules that can be encapsulated by NC-4, provides unique opportunities to study the co-assembly of capsid and cargo, and could be useful for studying other nonviral and viral assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Hori
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Angela Steinauer
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), SB ISIC LIBN, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Tetter
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jamiro Hälg
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eva-Maria Manz
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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4
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Su Y, Liu B, Huang Z, Teng Z, Yang L, Zhu J, Huo S, Liu A. Virus-like particles nanoreactors: from catalysis towards bio-applications. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:9084-9098. [PMID: 37697810 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01112g] [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: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled supramolecular structures found in nature, often used for compartmentalization. Exploiting their inherent properties, including precise nanoscale structures, monodispersity, and high stability, these architectures have been widely used as nanocarriers to protect or enrich catalysts, facilitating catalytic reactions and avoiding interference from the bulk solutions. In this review, we summarize the current progress of virus-like particles (VLPs)-based nanoreactors. First, we briefly introduce the physicochemical properties of the most commonly used virus particles to understand their roles in catalytic reactions beyond the confined space. Next, we summarize the self-assembly of nanoreactors forming higher-order hierarchical structures, highlighting the emerging field of nanoreactors as artificial organelles and their potential biomedical applications. Finally, we discuss the current findings and future perspectives of VLPs-based nanoreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Su
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Beibei Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Zhenkun Huang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Zihao Teng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Liulin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Jie Zhu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research and High-Quality Utilization, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Shuaidong Huo
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Aijie Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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5
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Edwardson TGW, Levasseur MD, Tetter S, Steinauer A, Hori M, Hilvert D. Protein Cages: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications. Chem Rev 2022; 122:9145-9197. [PMID: 35394752 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteins that self-assemble into polyhedral shell-like structures are useful molecular containers both in nature and in the laboratory. Here we review efforts to repurpose diverse protein cages, including viral capsids, ferritins, bacterial microcompartments, and designed capsules, as vaccines, drug delivery vehicles, targeted imaging agents, nanoreactors, templates for controlled materials synthesis, building blocks for higher-order architectures, and more. A deep understanding of the principles underlying the construction, function, and evolution of natural systems has been key to tailoring selective cargo encapsulation and interactions with both biological systems and synthetic materials through protein engineering and directed evolution. The ability to adapt and design increasingly sophisticated capsid structures and functions stands to benefit the fields of catalysis, materials science, and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephan Tetter
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Steinauer
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mao Hori
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Zeng R, Lv C, Wang C, Zhao G. Bionanomaterials based on protein self-assembly: Design and applications in biotechnology. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 52:107835. [PMID: 34520791 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Elegant protein assembly to generate new biomaterials undergoes extremely rapid development for wide extension of biotechnology applications, which can be a powerful tool not only for creating nanomaterials but also for advancing understanding of the structure of life. Unique biological properties of proteins bestow these artificial biomaterials diverse functions that can permit them to be applied in encapsulation, bioimaging, biocatalysis, biosensors, photosynthetic apparatus, electron transport, magnetogenetic applications, vaccine development and antibodies design. This review gives a perspective view of the latest advances in the construction of protein-based nanomaterials. We initially start with distinguishable, specific interactions to construct sundry nanomaterials through protein self-assembly and concisely expound the assembly mechanism from the design strategy. And then, the design and construction of 0D, 1D, 2D, 3D protein assembled nanomaterials are especially highlighted. Furthermore, the potential applications have been discussed in detail. Overall, this review will illustrate how to fabricate highly sophisticated nanomaterials oriented toward applications in biotechnology based on the rules of supramolecular chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Zeng
- College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chenyan Lv
- College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chengtao Wang
- Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, Beijing Technology & Business University, No. 11 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Guanghua Zhao
- College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100083, China.
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7
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Choi H, Eom S, Kim HU, Bae Y, Jung HS, Kang S. Load and Display: Engineering Encapsulin as a Modular Nanoplatform for Protein-Cargo Encapsulation and Protein-Ligand Decoration Using Split Intein and SpyTag/SpyCatcher. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:3028-3039. [PMID: 34142815 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protein cage nanoparticles have a unique spherical hollow structure that provides a modifiable interior space and an exterior surface. For full application, it is desirable to utilize both the interior space and the exterior surface simultaneously with two different functionalities in a well-combined way. Here, we genetically engineered encapsulin protein cage nanoparticles (Encap) as modular nanoplatforms by introducing a split-C-intein (IntC) fragment and SpyTag into the interior and exterior surfaces, respectively. A complementary split-N-intein (IntN) was fused to various protein cargoes, such as NanoLuc luciferase (Nluc), enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), and Nluc-miniSOG, individually, which led to their successful encapsulation into Encaps to form Cargo@Encap through split intein-mediated protein ligation during protein coexpression and cage assembly in bacteria. Conversely, the SpyCatcher protein was fused to various protein ligands, such as a glutathione binder (GST-SC), dimerizing ligands (FKBP12-SC and FRB-SC), and a cancer-targeting affibody (SC-EGFRAfb); subsequently, they were displayed on Cargo@Encaps through SpyTag/SpyCatcher ligation to form Cargo@Encap/Ligands in a mix-and-match manner. Nluc@Encap/glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was effectively immobilized on glutathione (GSH)-coated solid supports exhibiting repetitive and long-term usage of the encapsulated luciferases. We also established luciferase-embedded layer-by-layer (LbL) nanostructures by alternately depositing Nluc@Encap/FKBP12 and Nluc@Encap/FRB in the presence of rapamycin and applied enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)@Encap/EGFRAfb as a target-specific fluorescent imaging probe to visualize specific cancer cells selectively. Modular functionalization of the interior space and the exterior surface of a protein cage nanoparticle may offer the opportunity to develop new protein-based nanostructured devices and nanomedical tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyukjun Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea
| | - Soomin Eom
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea
| | - Han-Ul Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, 1, Kangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon-si 24341, Gangwon-do, Korea
| | - Yoonji Bae
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea
| | - Hyun Suk Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, 1, Kangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon-si 24341, Gangwon-do, Korea
| | - Sebyung Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea
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8
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Oerlemans RAJF, Timmermans SBPE, van Hest JCM. Artificial Organelles: Towards Adding or Restoring Intracellular Activity. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2051-2078. [PMID: 33450141 PMCID: PMC8252369 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is one of the main characteristics that define living systems. Creating a physically separated microenvironment allows nature a better control over biological processes, as is clearly specified by the role of organelles in living cells. Inspired by this phenomenon, researchers have developed a range of different approaches to create artificial organelles: compartments with catalytic activity that add new function to living cells. In this review we will discuss three complementary lines of investigation. First, orthogonal chemistry approaches are discussed, which are based on the incorporation of catalytically active transition metal-containing nanoparticles in living cells. The second approach involves the use of premade hybrid nanoreactors, which show transient function when taken up by living cells. The third approach utilizes mostly genetic engineering methods to create bio-based structures that can be ultimately integrated with the cell's genome to make them constitutively active. The current state of the art and the scope and limitations of the field will be highlighted with selected examples from the three approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy A. J. F. Oerlemans
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Research GroupInstitute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyP.O. Box 513 (STO3.41)5600 MBEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Suzanne B. P. E. Timmermans
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Research GroupInstitute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyP.O. Box 513 (STO3.41)5600 MBEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Jan C. M. van Hest
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Research GroupInstitute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyP.O. Box 513 (STO3.41)5600 MBEindhovenThe Netherlands
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9
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Levasseur MD, Mantri S, Hayashi T, Reichenbach M, Hehn S, Waeckerle-Men Y, Johansen P, Hilvert D. Cell-Specific Delivery Using an Engineered Protein Nanocage. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:838-843. [PMID: 33881303 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based delivery systems have shown great promise for theranostics and bioimaging on the laboratory scale due to favorable pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. In this study, we examine the utility of a cage-forming variant of the protein lumazine synthase, which was previously designed and evolved to encapsulate biomacromolecular cargo. Linking antibody-binding domains to the exterior of the cage enabled binding of targeting immunoglobulins and cell-specific uptake of encapsulated cargo. Protein nanocages displaying antibody-binding domains appear to be less immunogenic than their unmodified counterparts, but they also recruit serum antibodies that can mask the efficacy of the targeting antibody. Our study highlights the strengths and limitations of a common targeting strategy for practical nanoparticle-based delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shiksha Mantri
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Takahiro Hayashi
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Reichenbach
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Svenja Hehn
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Pål Johansen
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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10
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Tan YQ, Xue B, Yew WS. Genetically Encodable Scaffolds for Optimizing Enzyme Function. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051389. [PMID: 33806660 PMCID: PMC7961827 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzyme engineering is an indispensable tool in the field of synthetic biology, where enzymes are challenged to carry out novel or improved functions. Achieving these goals sometimes goes beyond modifying the primary sequence of the enzyme itself. The use of protein or nucleic acid scaffolds to enhance enzyme properties has been reported for applications such as microbial production of chemicals, biosensor development and bioremediation. Key advantages of using these assemblies include optimizing reaction conditions, improving metabolic flux and increasing enzyme stability. This review summarizes recent trends in utilizing genetically encodable scaffolds, developed in line with synthetic biology methodologies, to complement the purposeful deployment of enzymes. Current molecular tools for constructing these synthetic enzyme-scaffold systems are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Quan Tan
- Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore; (Y.Q.T.); (B.X.)
- Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Bo Xue
- Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore; (Y.Q.T.); (B.X.)
- Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Wen Shan Yew
- Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore; (Y.Q.T.); (B.X.)
- Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +65-6516-8624
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11
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Edwardson TGW, Tetter S, Hilvert D. Two-tier supramolecular encapsulation of small molecules in a protein cage. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5410. [PMID: 33106476 PMCID: PMC7588467 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19112-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Expanding protein design to include other molecular building blocks has the potential to increase structural complexity and practical utility. Nature often employs hybrid systems, such as clathrin-coated vesicles, lipid droplets, and lipoproteins, which combine biopolymers and lipids to transport a broader range of cargo molecules. To recapitulate the structure and function of such composite compartments, we devised a supramolecular strategy that enables porous protein cages to encapsulate poorly water-soluble small molecule cargo through templated formation of a hydrophobic surfactant-based core. These lipoprotein-like complexes protect their cargo from sequestration by serum proteins and enhance the cellular uptake of fluorescent probes and cytotoxic drugs. This design concept could be applied to other protein cages, surfactant mixtures, and cargo molecules to generate unique hybrid architectures and functional capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Tetter
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
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12
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Chakraborti S, Lin TY, Glatt S, Heddle JG. Enzyme encapsulation by protein cages. RSC Adv 2020; 10:13293-13301. [PMID: 35492120 PMCID: PMC9051456 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra10983h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein cages are hollow protein shells with a nanometric cavity that can be filled with useful materials. The encapsulating nature of the cages means that they are particularly attractive for loading with biological macromolecules, affording the guests protection in conditions where they may be degraded. Given the importance of proteins in both industrial and all cellular processes, encapsulation of functional protein cargoes, particularly enzymes, are of high interest both for in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic use as well as for ex vivo applications. Increasing knowledge of protein cage structures at high resolution along with recent advances in producing artificial protein cages means that they can now be designed with various attachment chemistries on their internal surfaces - a useful tool for cargo capture. Here we review the different available attachment strategies that have recently been successfully demonstrated for enzyme encapsulation in protein cages and consider their future potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumyananda Chakraborti
- Bionanoscience and Biochemistry Laboratory, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University Krakow 30-387 Poland
| | - Ting-Yu Lin
- Max Planck Research Group, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University Krakow 30-387 Poland
| | - Sebastian Glatt
- Max Planck Research Group, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University Krakow 30-387 Poland
| | - Jonathan G Heddle
- Bionanoscience and Biochemistry Laboratory, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University Krakow 30-387 Poland
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13
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Edwardson TGW, Hilvert D. Virus-Inspired Function in Engineered Protein Cages. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:9432-9443. [PMID: 31117660 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b03705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The structural and functional diversity of proteins combined with their genetic programmability has made them indispensable modern materials. Well-defined, hollow protein capsules have proven to be particularly useful due to their ability to compartmentalize macromolecules and chemical processes. To this end, viral capsids are common scaffolds and have been successfully repurposed to produce a suite of practical protein-based nanotechnologies. Recently, the recapitulation of viromimetic function in protein cages of nonviral origin has emerged as a strategy to both complement physical studies of natural viruses and produce useful scaffolds for diverse applications. In this perspective, we review recent progress toward generation of virus-like behavior in nonviral protein cages through rational engineering and directed evolution. These artificial systems can aid our understanding of the emergence of viruses from existing cellular components, as well as provide alternative approaches to tackle current problems, and open up new opportunities, in medicine and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry , ETH Zurich , 8093 Zurich , Switzerland
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14
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de Ruiter MV, Klem R, Luque D, Cornelissen JJLM, Castón JR. Structural nanotechnology: three-dimensional cryo-EM and its use in the development of nanoplatforms for in vitro catalysis. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:4130-4146. [PMID: 30793729 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr09204d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The organization of enzymes into different subcellular compartments is essential for correct cell function. Protein-based cages are a relatively recently discovered subclass of structurally dynamic cellular compartments that can be mimicked in the laboratory to encapsulate enzymes. These synthetic structures can then be used to improve our understanding of natural protein-based cages, or as nanoreactors in industrial catalysis, metabolic engineering, and medicine. Since the function of natural protein-based cages is related to their three-dimensional structure, it is important to determine this at the highest possible resolution if viable nanoreactors are to be engineered. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is ideal for undertaking such analyses within a feasible time frame and at near-native conditions. This review describes how three-dimensional cryo-EM is used in this field and discusses its advantages. An overview is also given of the nanoreactors produced so far, their structure, function, and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark V de Ruiter
- Department of Biomolecular Nanotechnology, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
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15
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Wei Y, Kumar P, Wahome N, Mantis NJ, Middaugh CR. Biomedical Applications of Lumazine Synthase. J Pharm Sci 2018; 107:2283-2296. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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16
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Sigmund F, Massner C, Erdmann P, Stelzl A, Rolbieski H, Desai M, Bricault S, Wörner TP, Snijder J, Geerlof A, Fuchs H, Hrabĕ de Angelis M, Heck AJR, Jasanoff A, Ntziachristos V, Plitzko J, Westmeyer GG. Bacterial encapsulins as orthogonal compartments for mammalian cell engineering. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1990. [PMID: 29777103 PMCID: PMC5959871 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04227-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We genetically controlled compartmentalization in eukaryotic cells by heterologous expression of bacterial encapsulin shell and cargo proteins to engineer enclosed enzymatic reactions and size-constrained metal biomineralization. The shell protein (EncA) from Myxococcus xanthus auto-assembles into nanocompartments inside mammalian cells to which sets of native (EncB,C,D) and engineered cargo proteins self-target enabling localized bimolecular fluorescence and enzyme complementation. Encapsulation of the enzyme tyrosinase leads to the confinement of toxic melanin production for robust detection via multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT). Co-expression of ferritin-like native cargo (EncB,C) results in efficient iron sequestration producing substantial contrast by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and allowing for magnetic cell sorting. The monodisperse, spherical, and iron-loading nanoshells are also excellent genetically encoded reporters for electron microscopy (EM). In general, eukaryotically expressed encapsulins enable cellular engineering of spatially confined multicomponent processes with versatile applications in multiscale molecular imaging, as well as intriguing implications for metabolic engineering and cellular therapy. Artificial compartments have been expressed in prokaryotes and yeast, but similar capabilities have been missing for mammalian cell engineering. Here the authors use bacterial encapsulins to engineer genetically controlled multifunctional orthogonal compartments in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Sigmund
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Christoph Massner
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Philipp Erdmann
- Department of Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried, 82152, Germany
| | - Anja Stelzl
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Hannes Rolbieski
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Mitul Desai
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Bricault
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tobias P Wörner
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Group, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584CH, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Snijder
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Group, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584CH, The Netherlands.,Snijder Bioscience, Spijkerstraat 114-4, Arnhem, 6828 DN, The Netherlands
| | - Arie Geerlof
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Helmut Fuchs
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabĕ de Angelis
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Group, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584CH, The Netherlands
| | - Alan Jasanoff
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Nuclear Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vasilis Ntziachristos
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany.,Chair for Biological Imaging, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Jürgen Plitzko
- Department of Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried, 82152, Germany
| | - Gil G Westmeyer
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany. .,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany. .,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, 81675, Germany.
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17
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18
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Changes in the stability and biomechanics of P22 bacteriophage capsid during maturation. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:1492-1504. [PMID: 29550430 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The capsid of P22 bacteriophage undergoes a series of structural transitions during maturation that guide it from spherical to icosahedral morphology. The transitions include the release of scaffold proteins and capsid expansion. Although P22 maturation has been investigated for decades, a unified model that incorporates thermodynamic and biophysical analyses is not available. A general and specific model of icosahedral capsid maturation is of significant interest to theoreticians searching for fundamental principles as well as virologists and material scientists seeking to alter maturation to their advantage. To address this challenge, we have combined the results from orthogonal biophysical techniques including differential scanning fluorimetry, atomic force microscopy, circular dichroism, and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. By integrating these results from single particle and population measurements, an energy landscape of P22 maturation from procapsid through expanded shell to wiffle ball emerged, highlighting the role of metastable structures and the thermodynamics guiding maturation. The propagation of weak quaternary interactions across symmetric elements of the capsid is a key component for stability in P22. A surprising finding is that the progression to wiffle ball, which lacks pentamers, shows that chemical and thermal stability can be uncoupled from mechanical rigidity, elegantly demonstrating the complexity inherent in capsid protein interactions and the emergent properties that can arise from icosahedral symmetry. On a broader scale, this work demonstrates the power of applying orthogonal biophysical techniques to elucidate assembly mechanisms for supramolecular complexes and provides a framework within which other viral systems can be compared.
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19
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Azuma Y, Edwardson TGW, Terasaka N, Hilvert D. Modular Protein Cages for Size-Selective RNA Packaging in Vivo. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:566-569. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b10798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Azuma
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Naohiro Terasaka
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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20
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Azuma Y, Herger M, Hilvert D. Diversification of Protein Cage Structure Using Circularly Permuted Subunits. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:558-561. [PMID: 29257675 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b10513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling protein cages are useful as nanoscale molecular containers for diverse applications in biotechnology and medicine. To expand the utility of such systems, there is considerable interest in customizing the structures of natural cage-forming proteins and designing new ones. Here we report that a circularly permuted variant of lumazine synthase, a cage-forming enzyme from Aquifex aeolicus (AaLS) affords versatile building blocks for the construction of nanocompartments that can be easily produced, tailored, and diversified. The topologically altered protein, cpAaLS, self-assembles into spherical and tubular cage structures with morphologies that can be controlled by the length of the linker connecting the native termini. Moreover, cpAaLS proteins integrate into wild-type and other engineered AaLS assemblies by coproduction in Escherichia coli to form patchwork cages. This coassembly strategy enables encapsulation of guest proteins in the lumen, modification of the exterior through genetic fusion, and tuning of the size and electrostatics of the compartments. This addition to the family of AaLS cages broadens the scope of this system for further applications and highlights the utility of circular permutation as a potentially general strategy for tailoring the properties of cage-forming proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Azuma
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Herger
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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21
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Abstract
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Compartmentalization of proteases
enables spatially and temporally
controlled protein degradation in cells. Here we show that an engineered
lumazine synthase protein cage, which possesses a negatively supercharged
lumen, can exploit electrostatic effects to sort substrates for an
encapsulated protease. This proteasome-like nanoreactor preferentially
cleaves positively charged polypeptides over both anionic and zwitterionic
substrates, inverting the inherent substrate specificity of the guest
enzyme approximately 480 fold. Our results suggest that supercharged
nanochambers could provide a simple and potentially general means
of conferring substrate specificity to diverse encapsulated catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Azuma
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel L V Bader
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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22
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Azuma Y, Edwardson TGW, Hilvert D. Tailoring lumazine synthase assemblies for bionanotechnology. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:3543-3557. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00154e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The cage-forming protein lumazine synthase is readily modified, evolved and assembled with other components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Azuma
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry
- ETH Zurich
- 8093 Zurich
- Switzerland
| | | | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry
- ETH Zurich
- 8093 Zurich
- Switzerland
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23
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Abstract
The packaging of active enzymes in protein cages is a powerful strategy to control catalytic activity. Using a positively supercharged variant of green fluorescent protein, GFP(+36), as a genetically programmable tag, enzymes can be rapidly and quantitatively loaded into an engineered variant of the Aquifex aeolicus cage-forming protein lumazine synthase (AaLS-13) that possesses a negatively charged lumen. The cargo is spontaneously localized within AaLS-13 cages by simply mixing the components in aqueous solution. This chapter describes a detailed protocol for the preparation of AaLS-13 cages and GFP(+36)-enzyme fusions, as well as characterization of the inclusion complexes. Suitable conditions for encapsulation and enzyme kinetic assays are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Azuma
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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24
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Choi B, Kim H, Choi H, Kang S. Protein Cage Nanoparticles as Delivery Nanoplatforms. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1064:27-43. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-0445-3_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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25
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Han X, Woycechowsky KJ. Encapsulation and Controlled Release of Protein Guests by the Bacillus subtilis Lumazine Synthase Capsid. Biochemistry 2017; 56:6211-6220. [PMID: 29087189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In Bacillus subtilis, the 60-subunit dodecahedral capsid formed by lumazine synthase (BsLS) acts as a container for trimeric riboflavin synthase (BsRS). To test whether the C-terminal sequence of BsRS is responsible for its encapsulation by BsLS, the green fluorescent protein (GFP) was fused to either the last 11 or the last 32 amino acids of BsRS, yielding variant GFP11 or GFP32, respectively. After purification, BsLS capsids that had been co-produced in bacteria with GFP11 and GFP32 are 15- and 6-fold more fluorescent, respectively, than BsLS co-produced with GFP lacking any BsRS fragment, indicating complex formation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay experiments confirm that GFP11 is localized within the BsLS capsid. In addition, fusing the last 11 amino acids of BsRS to the C-terminus of the Abrin A chain also led to its encapsulation by BsLS at a level similar to that of GFP11. Together, these results demonstrate that the C-terminal tail of BsRS can act as an encapsulation tag capable of targeting other proteins to the BsLS capsid interior. As with the natural BsLS-BsRS complex, mild changes in pH and buffer identity trigger dissociation of the GFP11 guest, accompanied by a substantial expansion of the BsLS capsid. This system for protein encapsulation and release provides a novel tool for bionanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Kenneth J Woycechowsky
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072, China
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26
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Sharma J, Uchida M, Miettinen HM, Douglas T. Modular interior loading and exterior decoration of a virus-like particle. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:10420-10430. [PMID: 28702648 PMCID: PMC6482854 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr03018e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from the bacteriophage P22 offer an interesting and malleable platform for encapsulation and multivalent presentation of cargo molecules. The packaging of cargo in P22 VLP is typically achieved through genetically enabled directed in vivo encapsulation. However, this approach does not allow control over the packing density and composition of the encapsulated cargos. Here, we have adopted an in vitro assembly approach to gain control over cargo packaging in P22. The packaging was controlled by closely regulating the stoichiometric ratio of cargo-fused-scaffold protein and wild-type scaffold protein during the in vitro assembly. In a "one-pot assembly reaction" coat protein subunits were incubated with varied ratios of wild-type scaffold protein and cargo-fused-scaffold protein, which resulted in the encapsulation of both components in a co-assembled capsid. These experiments demonstrate that an input stoichiometry can be used to achieve controlled packaging of multiple cargos within the VLP. The porous nature of P22 allows the escape and re-entry of wild-type scaffold protein from the assembled capsid but scaffold protein fused to a protein-cargo cannot traverse the capsid shell due to the size of the cargo. This has allowed us to control and alter the packing density by selectively releasing wild-type scaffold protein from the co-assembled capsids. We have demonstrated these concepts in the P22 system using an encapsulated streptavidin protein and have shown its highly selective interaction with biotin or biotin derivatives. Additionally, this system can be used to encapsulate small molecules coupled to biotin, or display large proteins, that cannot enter the capsid and thus remain available for the multivalent display on the exterior of the capsid when attached to a flexible biotinylated linker. Thus, we have developed a P22 system with controlled protein cargo composition and packing density, to which both small and large molecules can be attached at high copy number on the interior or exterior of the capsid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhanvi Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA.
| | - Masaki Uchida
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA.
| | - Heini M Miettinen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Montana State University, PO Box 173520, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA
| | - Trevor Douglas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA.
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27
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Azuma Y, Zschoche R, Hilvert D. The C-terminal peptide of Aquifex aeolicus riboflavin synthase directs encapsulation of native and foreign guests by a cage-forming lumazine synthase. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:10321-10327. [PMID: 28515315 PMCID: PMC5481547 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.c117.790311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Encapsulation of specific enzymes in self-assembling protein cages is a hallmark of bacterial compartments that function as counterparts to eukaryotic organelles. The cage-forming enzyme lumazine synthase (LS) from Bacillus subtilis (BsLS), for example, encapsulates riboflavin synthase (BsRS), enabling channeling of lumazine from the site of its generation to the site of its conversion to vitamin B2 Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the assembly of these supramolecular complexes could help inform new approaches for metabolic engineering, nanotechnology, and drug delivery. To that end, we investigated a thermostable LS from Aquifex aeolicus (AaLS) and found that it also forms cage complexes with the cognate riboflavin synthase (AaRS) when both proteins are co-produced in the cytosol of Escherichia coli A 12-amino acid-long peptide at the C terminus of AaRS serves as a specific localization sequence responsible for targeting the guest to the protein compartment. Sequence comparisons suggested that analogous peptide segments likely direct RS complexation by LS cages in other bacterial species. Covalent fusion of this peptide tag to heterologous guest molecules led to their internalization into AaLS assemblies both in vivo and in vitro, providing a firm foundation for creating tailored biomimetic nanocompartments for medical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Azuma
- From the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Reinhard Zschoche
- From the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- From the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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28
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Renggli K, Sauter N, Rother M, Nussbaumer MG, Urbani R, Pfohl T, Bruns N. Biocatalytic atom transfer radical polymerization in a protein cage nanoreactor. Polym Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c6py02155g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The ATRP-catalyzing enzyme horseradish peroxidase was encapsulated into the protein cage thermosome resulting in an all-protein nanoreactor system for controlled radical polymerizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper Renggli
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Basel
- 4056 Basel
- Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering
| | - Nora Sauter
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Basel
- 4056 Basel
- Switzerland
| | - Martin Rother
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Basel
- 4056 Basel
- Switzerland
| | - Martin G. Nussbaumer
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Basel
- 4056 Basel
- Switzerland
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
| | - Raphael Urbani
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Basel
- 4056 Basel
- Switzerland
| | - Thomas Pfohl
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Basel
- 4056 Basel
- Switzerland
| | - Nico Bruns
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Basel
- 4056 Basel
- Switzerland
- Adolphe Merkle Institute
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