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Bou‐Abdallah F, Fish J, Terashi G, Zhang Y, Kihara D, Arosio P. Unveiling the stochastic nature of human heteropolymer ferritin self-assembly mechanism. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e5104. [PMID: 38995055 PMCID: PMC11241160 DOI: 10.1002/pro.5104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite ferritin's critical role in regulating cellular and systemic iron levels, our understanding of the structure and assembly mechanism of isoferritins, discovered over eight decades ago, remains limited. Unveiling how the composition and molecular architecture of hetero-oligomeric ferritins confer distinct functionality to isoferritins is essential to understanding how the structural intricacies of H and L subunits influence their interactions with cellular machinery. In this study, ferritin heteropolymers with specific H to L subunit ratios were synthesized using a uniquely engineered plasmid design, followed by high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy analysis and deep learning-based amino acid modeling. Our structural examination revealed unique architectural features during the self-assembly mechanism of heteropolymer ferritins and demonstrated a significant preference for H-L heterodimer formation over H-H or L-L homodimers. Unexpectedly, while dimers seem essential building blocks in the protein self-assembly process, the overall mechanism of ferritin self-assembly is observed to proceed randomly through diverse pathways. The physiological significance of these findings is discussed including how ferritin microheterogeneity could represent a tissue-specific adaptation process that imparts distinctive tissue-specific functions to isoferritins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Bou‐Abdallah
- Department of ChemistryState University of New YorkPotsdamNew YorkUSA
| | - Jeremie Fish
- Department of Electrical & Computer EngineeringCoulter School of Engineering, Clarkson UniversityPotsdamNew YorkUSA
| | - Genki Terashi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Computer SciencePurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Computer SciencePurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Daisuke Kihara
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Computer SciencePurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Molecular and Translational MedicineUniversity of BresciaBresciaItaly
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2
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Xia X, Li H, Zang J, Cheng S, Du M. Advancements of the Molecular Directed Design and Structure-Activity Relationship of Ferritin Nanocage. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:7629-7654. [PMID: 38518374 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Ferritin nanocages possess remarkable structural properties and biological functions, making them highly attractive for applications in functional materials and biomedicine. This comprehensive review presents an overview of the molecular characteristics, extraction and identification of ferritin, ferritin receptors, as well as the advancements in the directional design of high-order assemblies of ferritin and the applications based on its unique structural properties. Specifically, this Review focuses on the regulation of ferritin assembly from one to three dimensions, leveraging the symmetry of ferritin and modifications on key interfaces. Furthermore, it discusses targeted delivery of nutrition and drugs through facile loading and functional modification of ferritin. The aim of this Review is to inspire the design of micro/nano functional materials using ferritin and the development of nanodelivery vehicles for nutritional fortification and disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Xia
- SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
| | - Han Li
- SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
| | - Jiachen Zang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Shuzhen Cheng
- SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
| | - Ming Du
- SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
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3
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Sudarev VV, Gette MS, Bazhenov SV, Tilinova OM, Zinovev EV, Manukhov IV, Kuklin AI, Ryzhykau YL, Vlasov AV. Ferritin-based fusion protein shows octameric deadlock state of self-assembly. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 690:149276. [PMID: 38007906 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Ferritin is a universal protein complex responsible for iron perception in almost all living organisms and has applications from fundamental biophysics to drug delivery and structure-based immunogen design. Different platforms based on ferritin share similar technological challenges limiting their development - control of self-assembling processes of ferritin itself as well as ferritin-based chimeric recombinant protein complexes. In our research, we studied self-assembly processes of ferritin-based protein complexes under different expression conditions. We fused a ferritin subunit with a SMT3 protein tag, a homolog of human Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO-tag), which was taken to destabilize ferritin 3-fold channel contacts and increase ferritin-SUMO subunits solubility. We first obtained the octameric protein complex of ferritin-SUMO (8xFer-SUMO) and studied its structural organization by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Obtained SAXS data correspond well with the high-resolution models predicted by AlphaFold and CORAL software of an octameric assembly around the 4-fold channel of ferritin without formation of 3-fold channels. Interestingly, three copies of 8xFer-SUMO do not assemble into 24-meric globules. Thus, we first obtained and structurally characterized ferritin-based self-assembling oligomers in a deadlock state. Deadlock oligomeric states of ferritin extend the known scheme of its self-assembly process, being new potential tools for a number of applications. Finally, our results might open new directions for various biotechnological platforms utilizing ferritin-based tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Sudarev
- Research Center for Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russian Federation
| | - M S Gette
- Research Center for Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russian Federation
| | - S V Bazhenov
- Research Center for Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russian Federation
| | - O M Tilinova
- Research Center for Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russian Federation
| | - E V Zinovev
- Research Center for Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russian Federation
| | - I V Manukhov
- Research Center for Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russian Federation
| | - A I Kuklin
- Research Center for Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russian Federation; Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, 141980, Russian Federation
| | - Yu L Ryzhykau
- Research Center for Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russian Federation; Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, 141980, Russian Federation.
| | - A V Vlasov
- Research Center for Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russian Federation; Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, 141980, Russian Federation.
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4
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Srivastava AK, Scalcione LJ, Arosio P, Bou‐Abdallah F. Hyperthermostable recombinant human heteropolymer ferritin derived from a novel plasmid design. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4543. [PMID: 36519270 PMCID: PMC9798250 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4543] [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: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian ferritins are predominantly heteropolymeric species consisting of 2 structurally similar, but functionally and genetically distinct subunit types, called H (Heavy) and L (Light). The two subunits co-assemble in different H and L ratios to form 24-mer shell-like protein nanocages where thousands of iron atoms can be mineralized inside a hollow cavity. Here, we use differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to study ferritin stability and understand how various combinations of H and L subunits confer aspects of protein structure-function relationships. Using a recently engineered plasmid design that enables the synthesis of complex ferritin nanostructures with specific H to L subunit ratios, we show that homopolymer L and heteropolymer L-rich ferritins have a remarkable hyperthermostability (Tm = 115 ± 1°C) compared to their H-ferritin homologues (Tm = 93 ± 1°C). Our data reveal a significant linear correlation between protein thermal stability and the number of L subunits present on the ferritin shell. A strong and unexpected iron-induced protein thermal destabilization effect (ΔTm up to 20°C) is observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of recombinant human homo- and hetero-polymer ferritins that exhibit surprisingly high dissociation temperatures, the highest among all known ferritin species, including many known hyperthermophilic proteins and enzymes. This extreme thermostability of our L and L-rich ferritins may have great potential for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Molecular & Translational MedicineUniversity of BresciaBresciaItaly
| | - Fadi Bou‐Abdallah
- Department of ChemistryState University of New YorkPotsdamNew YorkUSA
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Expression and Evaluation of a Novel PPRV Nanoparticle Antigen Based on Ferritin Self-Assembling Technology. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091902. [PMID: 36145650 PMCID: PMC9500948 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly pathogenic disease that is classified as a World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)-listed disease. PPRV mainly infects small ruminants such as goats and sheep. In view of the global and high pathogenicity of PPRV, in this study, we proposed a novel nanoparticle vaccine strategy based on ferritin (Fe) self-assembly technology. Using Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) ferritin as an antigen delivery vector, a PPRV hemagglutinin (H) protein was fused with ferritin and then expressed and purified in both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and silkworm baculovirus expression systems. Subsequently, the nanoparticle antigens’ expression level, immunogenicity and protective immune response were evaluated. Our results showed that the PPRV hemagglutinin–ferritin (H-Fe) protein was self-assembled in silkworms, while it was difficult to observe the correctly folded nanoparticle in E. coli. Meanwhile, the expression level of the H-Fe protein was higher than that of the H protein alone. Furthermore, the immunogenicity and protective immune response of H-Fe nanoparticle antigens expressed by silkworms were improved compared with the H antigen alone. Particularly, the protective immune response of H-Fe antigens expressed in E. coli did not change, as opposed to the H antigen, which was probably due to the incomplete nanoparticle structure in E. coli. This study indicated that the use of ferritin nanoparticles as antigen delivery carriers could increase the expression of antigen proteins and improve the immunogenicity and immune effect of antigens.
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Wu J, Wei Y, Lan J, Hu X, Gao F, Zhang X, Gao Z, Liu Q, Sun Z, Chen R, Zhao H, Fan K, Yan X, Zhuang J, Huang X. Screening of Protein-Based Ultrasmall Nanozymes for Building Cell-Mimicking Catalytic Vesicles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2202145. [PMID: 36026572 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Enzymes are an important component for bottom-up building of synthetic/artificial cells. Nanozymes are nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme-like properties, however, the construction of synthetic cells using nanozymes is difficult owing to their high surface energy or large size. Herein, the authors show a protein-based general platform that biomimetically integrates various ultrasmall metal nanozymes into protein shells. Specifically, eight metal-based ultrasmall nano-particles/clusters are in situ incorporated into ferritin nanocages that are self-assembled by 24 subunits of ferritin heavy chain. As a nanozyme generator, such a platform is suitable for screening the desired enzyme-like activities, including peroxidase (POD), oxidase (OXD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). After screening, it is found that Ru intrinsically possesses the highest POD-like and CAT-like activities, while Mn and Pt show the highest OXD-like and SOD-like activities, respectively. Additionally, the inducers/inhibitors of various nanozymes are screened from more than 50 compounds to improve or inhibit their enzyme-like activities. Based on the screened nanozymes and their inhibitors, a proof-of-conceptually constructs cell-mimicking catalytic vesicles to mimic or modulate the events of redox homeostasis in living cells. This study offers a type of artificial metalloenzyme based on nanotechnology and shows a choice for bottom-up enzyme-based synthetic cell systems in a fully synthetic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Joint Laboratory of Nanozymes, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yonghua Wei
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Joint Laboratory of Nanozymes, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jingping Lan
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Joint Laboratory of Nanozymes, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xueyan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Fangli Gao
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xiangyun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Zhanxia Gao
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Qiqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Zhiyuan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Rui Chen
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Nanozymes, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Hanqing Zhao
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Kelong Fan
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Nanozymes, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiyun Yan
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Joint Laboratory of Nanozymes, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Nanozymes, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jie Zhuang
- Joint Laboratory of Nanozymes, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xinglu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Joint Laboratory of Nanozymes, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
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Peng X, Lu C, Liu Z, Lu D. The synergistic mechanisms of apo-ferritin structural transitions and Au(iii) ion transportation: molecular dynamics simulations with the Markov state model. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:17158-17165. [PMID: 34318824 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp01828k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Due to its unique structure, recent years have witnessed the use of apo-ferritin to accumulate various non-natural metal ions as a scaffold for nanomaterial synthesis. However, the transport mechanism of metal ions into the cavity of apo-ferritin is still unclear, limiting the rational design and controllable preparation of nanomaterials. Here, we conducted all-atom classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations combined with Markov state models (MSMs) to explore the transportation behavior of Au(iii) ions. We exhibited the complete transportation paths of Au(iii) from solution into the apo-ferritin cage at the atomic level. We also revealed that the transportation of Au(iii) ions is accompanied by coupled protein structural changes. It is shown that the 3-fold axis channel serves as the only entrance with the longest residence time of Au(iii) ions. Besides, there are eight binding clusters and five 3-fold structural metastable states, which are important during Au(iii) transportation. The conformational changes of His118, Asp127, and Glu130, acting as doors, were observed to highly correlate with the Au(iii) ion's position. The MSM analysis and Potential Mean Force (PMF) calculation suggest a remarkable energy barrier near Glu130, making it the rate-limiting step of the whole process. The dominant transportation pathway is from cluster 3 in the 3-fold channel to the inner cavity to cluster 5 on the inner surface, and then to cluster 6. These findings provide inspiration and theoretical guidance for the further rational design and preparation of new nanomaterials using apo-ferritin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Peng
- State Key Lab of Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Science and Technology; Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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Lv C, Zhang X, Liu Y, Zhang T, Chen H, Zang J, Zheng B, Zhao G. Redesign of protein nanocages: the way from 0D, 1D, 2D to 3D assembly. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:3957-3989. [PMID: 33587075 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01349h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is a hallmark of living systems. Through compartmentalization, ubiquitous protein nanocages such as viral capsids, ferritin, small heat shock proteins, and DNA-binding proteins from starved cells fulfill a variety of functions, while their shell-like structures hold great promise for various applications in the field of nanomedicine and nanotechnology. However, the number and structure of natural protein nanocages are limited, and these natural protein nanocages may not be suited for a given application, which might impede their further application as nanovehicles, biotemplates or building blocks. To overcome these shortcomings, different strategies have been developed by scientists to construct artificial protein nanocages, and 1D, 2D and 3D protein arrays with protein nanocages as building blocks through genetic and chemical modification to rival the size and functionality of natural protein nanocages. This review outlines the recent advances in the field of the design and construction of artificial protein nanocages and their assemblies with higher order, summarizes the strategies for creating the assembly of protein nanocages from zero-dimension to three dimensions, and introduces their corresponding applications in the preparation of nanomaterials, electrochemistry, and drug delivery. The review will highlight the roles of both the inter-subunit/intermolecular interactions at the key interface and the protein symmetry in constructing and controlling protein nanocage assemblies with different dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyan Lv
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, Beijing 100083, China.
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9
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Han J, Yoon J. Supramolecular Nanozyme-Based Cancer Catalytic Therapy. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:7344-7351. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Han
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Juyoung Yoon
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
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10
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Jiang B, Fang L, Wu K, Yan X, Fan K. Ferritins as natural and artificial nanozymes for theranostics. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:687-706. [PMID: 31903145 PMCID: PMC6929972 DOI: 10.7150/thno.39827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanozymes are a class of nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme-like characteristics which overcome the limitations of natural enzymes such as high cost, low stability and difficulty to large scale preparation. Nanozymes combine the advantages of chemical catalysts and natural enzymes together, and have exhibited great potential in biomedical applications. However, the size controllable synthesis and targeting modifications of nanozymes are still challenging. Here, we introduce ferritin nanozymes to solve these problems. Ferritins are natural nanozymes which exhibit intrinsic enzyme-like activities (e.g. ferroxidase, peroxidase). In addition, by biomimetically synthesizing nanozymes inside the ferritin protein shells, artificial ferritin nanozymes are introduced, which possess the advantages of versatile self-assembly ferritin nanocage and enzymatic activity of nanozymes. Ferritin nanozymes provide a new horizon for the development of nanozyme in disease targeted theranostics research. The emergence of ferritin nanozyme also inspires us to learn from the natural nanostructures to optimize or rationally design nanozymes. In this review, the intrinsic enzyme-like activities of ferritin and bioengineered synthesis of ferritin nanozyme were summarized. After that, the applications of ferritin nanozymes were covered. Finally, the advantages, challenges and future research directions of advanced ferritin nanozymes for biomedical research were discussed.
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Maity B, Hishikawa Y, Lu D, Ueno T. Recent progresses in the accumulation of metal ions into the apo-ferritin cage: Experimental and theoretical perspectives. Polyhedron 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.poly.2019.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Lee EJ, Nam GH, Lee NK, Kih M, Koh E, Kim YK, Hong Y, Kim S, Park SY, Jeong C, Yang Y, Kim IS. Nanocage-Therapeutics Prevailing Phagocytosis and Immunogenic Cell Death Awakens Immunity against Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:1705581. [PMID: 29333661 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201705581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A growing appreciation of the relationship between the immune system and the tumorigenesis has led to the development of strategies aimed at "re-editing" the immune system to kill tumors. Here, a novel tactic is reported for overcoming the activation-energy threshold of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and mediating the delivery and presentation of tumor neoantigens to the host's immune system. This nature-derived nanocage not only efficiently presents ligands that enhance cancer cell phagocytosis, but also delivers drugs that induce immunogenic cancer cell death. The designed nanocage-therapeutics induce the release of neoantigens and danger signals in dying tumor cells, and leads to enhancement of tumor cell phagocytosis and cross-priming of tumor specific T cells by neoantigen peptide-loaded antigen-presenting cells. Potent inhibition of tumor growth and complete eradication of tumors is observed through systemic tumor-specific T cell responses in tumor draining lymph nodes and the spleen and further, infiltration of CD8+ T cells into the tumor site. Remarkably, after removal of the primary tumor, all mice treated with this nanocage-therapeutics are protected against subsequent challenge with the same tumor cells, suggesting development of lasting, tumor-specific responses. This designed nanocage-therapeutics "awakens" the host's immune system and provokes a durable systemic immune response against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jung Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Applied Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Hoon Nam
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Kyeong Lee
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Minwoo Kih
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunee Koh
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Kyoung Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonsun Hong
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Yoon Park
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Cherlhyun Jeong
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoosoo Yang
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - In-San Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
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13
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Mehlenbacher M, Poli M, Arosio P, Santambrogio P, Levi S, Chasteen ND, Bou-Abdallah F. Iron Oxidation and Core Formation in Recombinant Heteropolymeric Human Ferritins. Biochemistry 2017. [PMID: 28636371 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In animals, the iron storage and detoxification protein, ferritin, is composed of two functionally and genetically distinct subunit types, H (heavy) and L (light), which co-assemble in various ratios with tissue specific distributions to form shell-like protein structures of 24 subunits within which a mineralized iron core is stored. The H-subunit possesses a ferroxidase center (FC) that catalyzes Fe(II) oxidation, whereas the L-subunit does not. To assess the role of the L-subunit in iron oxidation and core formation, two human recombinant heteropolymeric ferritins, designated H-rich and L-rich with ratios of ∼20H:4L and ∼22L:2H, respectively, were employed and compared to the human homopolymeric H-subunit ferritin (HuHF). These heteropolymeric ferritins have a composition similar to the composition of those found in hearts and brains (i.e., H-rich) and in livers and spleens (i.e., L-rich). As for HuHF, iron oxidation in H-rich ferritin was found to proceed with a 2:1 Fe(II):O2 stoichiometry at an iron level of 2 Fe(II) atoms/H-subunit with the generation of H2O2. The H2O2 reacted with additional Fe(II) in a 2:1 Fe(II):H2O2 ratio, thus avoiding the production of hydroxyl radical. A μ-1,2-peroxo-diFe(III) intermediate was observed at the FC of H-rich ferritin as for HuHF. Importantly, the H-rich protein regenerated full ferroxidase activity more rapidly than HuHF did and additionally formed larger iron cores, indicating dual roles for the L-subunit in facilitating iron turnover at the FC and in mineralization of the core. The L-rich ferritin, while also facilitating iron oxidation at the FC, additionally promoted oxidation at the mineral surface once the iron binding capacity of the FC was exceeded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Mehlenbacher
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York , Potsdam, New York 13676, United States
| | - Maura Poli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia , 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia , 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | - N Dennis Chasteen
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire , Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Fadi Bou-Abdallah
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York , Potsdam, New York 13676, United States
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14
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Study of ferritin self-assembly and heteropolymer formation by the use of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) technology. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:522-532. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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15
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Si K, Ming T, Li Y, Qiu X, Chen L, Zhou J, Lu C, Su X, Li Y, Cheong LZ. Heavy metal detoxification by recombinant ferritin from Apostichopus japonicus. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra06989h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferritin fromApostichopus japonicasshowed better ability in heavy metal detoxification than horse spleen ferritin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixue Si
- School of Marine Science
- Ningbo University
- Ningbo
- China
| | - Tinghong Ming
- School of Marine Science
- Ningbo University
- Ningbo
- China
| | - Yanyan Li
- Department of Food Science
- Cornell University
- New York
- USA
| | - Xiaoting Qiu
- School of Marine Science
- Ningbo University
- Ningbo
- China
| | - Liping Chen
- School of Marine Science
- Ningbo University
- Ningbo
- China
| | - Jun Zhou
- School of Marine Science
- Ningbo University
- Ningbo
- China
| | - Chenyang Lu
- School of Marine Science
- Ningbo University
- Ningbo
- China
| | - Xiurong Su
- School of Marine Science
- Ningbo University
- Ningbo
- China
| | - Ye Li
- School of Marine Science
- Ningbo University
- Ningbo
- China
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16
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Ohtomo H, Ohtomo M, Sato D, Kurobe A, Sunato A, Matsumura Y, Kihara H, Fujiwara K, Ikeguchi M. A Physicochemical and Mutational Analysis of Intersubunit Interactions of Escherichia coli Ferritin A. Biochemistry 2015; 54:6243-51. [PMID: 26399896 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ferritin A from Escherichia coli (EcFtnA) is 24-meric protein, which forms spherical cagelike structures called nanocages. The nanocage structure is stabilized by the interface around 4-, 3-, and 2-fold symmetric axes. The subunit structure of EcFtnA comprises a four-helix bundle (helices A-D) and an additional helix E, which forms a 4-fold axis. In this study, we examined the contribution of the interface around three symmetric axes. pH-induced dissociation experiments monitored by analytical ultracentrifugation and small-angle X-ray scattering showed that the dimer related by 2-fold symmetry is the most stable unit. Mutations located near the 3-fold axis revealed that the contribution of each interaction was small. A mutant lacking helix E at the 4-fold axis formed a nanocage, suggesting that helix E is not essential for nanocage formation. Further truncation of the C-terminus of helix D abrogated the formation of the nanocage, suggesting that a few residues located at the C-terminus of helix D are critical for this process. These properties are similar to those known for mammalian ferritins and seem to be common principles for nanocage formation. The difference between EcFtnA and mammalian ferritins was that helix E-truncated EcFtnA maintained an iron-incorporating ability, whereas mammalian mutants lost it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Ohtomo
- Department of Bioinformatics, Soka University , 1-236 Tangi-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan
| | - Mio Ohtomo
- Department of Bioinformatics, Soka University , 1-236 Tangi-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sato
- Department of Bioinformatics, Soka University , 1-236 Tangi-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kurobe
- Department of Bioinformatics, Soka University , 1-236 Tangi-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan
| | - Ayumi Sunato
- Department of Bioinformatics, Soka University , 1-236 Tangi-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Matsumura
- Department of Physics, Kansai Medical University , 18-89 Uyama-Higashi, Hirakata 573-1136, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kihara
- Department of Physics, Kansai Medical University , 18-89 Uyama-Higashi, Hirakata 573-1136, Japan
| | - Kazuo Fujiwara
- Department of Bioinformatics, Soka University , 1-236 Tangi-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan
| | - Masamichi Ikeguchi
- Department of Bioinformatics, Soka University , 1-236 Tangi-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan
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17
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Sontz PA, Bailey JB, Ahn S, Tezcan FA. A Metal Organic Framework with Spherical Protein Nodes: Rational Chemical Design of 3D Protein Crystals. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:11598-601. [PMID: 26305584 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b07463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We describe here the construction of a three-dimensional, porous, crystalline framework formed by spherical protein nodes that assemble into a prescribed lattice arrangement through metal-organic linker-directed interactions. The octahedral iron storage enzyme, ferritin, was engineered in its C3 symmetric pores with tripodal Zn coordination sites. Dynamic light scattering and crystallographic studies established that this Zn-ferritin construct could robustly self-assemble into the desired bcc-type crystals upon coordination of a ditopic linker bearing hydroxamic acid functional groups. This system represents the first example of a ternary protein-metal-organic crystalline framework whose formation is fully dependent on each of its three components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela A Sontz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jake B Bailey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Sunhyung Ahn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - F Akif Tezcan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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18
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Nakajima H, Kondo M, Nakane T, Abe S, Nakao T, Watanabe Y, Ueno T. Construction of an enterobactin analogue with symmetrically arranged monomer subunits of ferritin. Chem Commun (Camb) 2015; 51:16609-12. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cc06904a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The symmetric arrangement of ferritin subunits served as a versatile foundation to produce a symmetric coordination space with designed ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Nakajima
- Division of Molecular Materials Science
- Graduate School of Science
- Osaka City University
- Osaka
- Japan
| | - Mio Kondo
- Department of Chemistry
- Graduate School of Science
- Nagoya University
- Nagoya
- Japan
| | - Taiki Nakane
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering
- Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
- Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Midori-ku
- Japan
| | - Satoshi Abe
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering
- Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
- Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Midori-ku
- Japan
| | - Takahiro Nakao
- Department of Chemistry
- Graduate School of Science
- Nagoya University
- Nagoya
- Japan
| | | | - Takafumi Ueno
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering
- Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
- Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Midori-ku
- Japan
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19
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Bernacchioni C, Ghini V, Pozzi C, Di Pisa F, Theil EC, Turano P. Loop electrostatics modulates the intersubunit interactions in ferritin. ACS Chem Biol 2014; 9:2517-25. [PMID: 25148224 DOI: 10.1021/cb500431r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Functional ferritins are 24-mer nanocages that self-assemble with extended contacts between pairs of 4-helix bundle subunits coupled in an antiparallel fashion along the C2 axes. The largest intersubunit interaction surface in the ferritin nanocage involves helices, but contacts also occur between groups of three residues midway in the long, solvent-exposed L-loops of facing subunits. The anchor points between intersubunit L-loop pairs are the salt bridges between the symmetry-related, conserved residues Asp80 and Lys82. The resulting quaternary structure of the cage is highly soluble and thermostable. Substitution of negatively charged Asp80 with a positively charged Lys in homopolymeric M ferritin introduces electrostatic repulsions that inhibit the oligomerization of the ferritin subunits. D80K ferritin was present in inclusion bodies under standard overexpressing conditions in E. coli, contrasting with the wild type protein. Small amounts of fully functional D80K nanocages formed when expression was slowed. The more positively charged surface results in a different solubility profile and D80K crystallized in a crystal form with a low density packing. The 3D structure of D80K variant is the same as wild type except for the side chain orientations of Lys80 and facing Lys82. When three contiguous Lys groups are introduced in D80KI81K ferritin variant the nanocage assembly is further inhibited leading to lower solubility and reduced thermal stability. Here, we demonstrate that the electrostatic pairing at the center of the L-loops has a specific kinetic role in the self-assembly of ferritin nanocages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Bernacchioni
- Magnetic
Resonance Center CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Veronica Ghini
- Magnetic
Resonance Center CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Department
of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Pisa
- Department
of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Elizabeth C. Theil
- CHORI (Children’s
Hospital Oakland Research Institute), 5700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Oakland, California 94609, United States
- Department
of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 29695-7622, United States
| | - Paola Turano
- Magnetic
Resonance Center CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
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20
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Huard DJE, Kane KM, Tezcan FA. Re-engineering protein interfaces yields copper-inducible ferritin cage assembly. Nat Chem Biol 2013; 9:169-76. [DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.1163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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21
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Zhang Y, Orner BP. Self-assembly in the ferritin nano-cage protein superfamily. Int J Mol Sci 2011; 12:5406-21. [PMID: 21954367 PMCID: PMC3179174 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12085406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Revised: 08/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein self-assembly, through specific, high affinity, and geometrically constraining protein-protein interactions, can control and lead to complex cellular nano-structures. Establishing an understanding of the underlying principles that govern protein self-assembly is not only essential to appreciate the fundamental biological functions of these structures, but could also provide a basis for their enhancement for nano-material applications. The ferritins are a superfamily of well studied proteins that self-assemble into hollow cage-like structures which are ubiquitously found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structural studies have revealed that many members of the ferritin family can self-assemble into nano-cages of two types. Maxi-ferritins form hollow spheres with octahedral symmetry composed of twenty-four monomers. Mini-ferritins, on the other hand, are tetrahedrally symmetric, hollow assemblies composed of twelve monomers. This review will focus on the structure of members of the ferritin superfamily, the mechanism of ferritin self-assembly and the structure-function relations of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Division of Chemistry and Biology Chemistry, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore; E-Mail:
| | - Brendan P. Orner
- Division of Chemistry and Biology Chemistry, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore; E-Mail:
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22
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Kim SE, Ahn KY, Park JS, Kim KR, Lee KE, Han SS, Lee J. Fluorescent ferritin nanoparticles and application to the aptamer sensor. Anal Chem 2011; 83:5834-43. [PMID: 21639087 DOI: 10.1021/ac200657s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
We synthesized fluorescent ferritin nanoparticles (FFNPs) through bacterial expression of the hybrid gene consisting of human ferritin heavy chain (hFTN-H), spacer (glycine-rich peptide), and enhanced green (or red) fluorescent protein [eGFP (or DsRed)] genes. The self-assembly activity of hFTN-H that leads to the formation of nanoparticles (12 nm in diameter), the conformational flexibility of the C-terminus of hFTN-H, and the glycine-rich spacer enabled eGFPs (or DsReds) to be well displayed on the surface of each ferritin nanoparticle, resulting in the construction of green (or red) FFNPs [gFFNPs (or rFFNPs)]. As compared to eGFP (or DsRed) alone, it is notable that the developed FFNPs showed significantly amplified fluorescence intensity and also enhanced stability. DNA aptamers were chemically conjugated to gFFNP via each eGFP's cysteine residue that was newly introduced through site-directed mutagenesis (Ser175Cys). The DNA-aptamer-conjugated gFFNPs were used as a fluorescent reporter probe in the aptamer-based "sandwich" assay of a cancer marker [i.e., platelet-derived growth factor B-chain homodimer (PDGF-BB)] in phosphate-buffered saline buffer or diluted human serum. This is a simple two-step assay without any additional steps for signal amplification, showing that compared to the same aptamer-based assays using eGFP alone or Cy3, the detection signals, affinity of the reporter probe to the cancer marker, and assay sensitivity were significantly enhanced; i.e., the limit of detection was lowered to the 100 fM level. Although the PDGF-BB assay is reported here as a proof-of-concept, the developed FFNPs can be applied in general to any aptamer-based sandwich assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Eun Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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23
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Haikarainen T, Paturi P, Lindén J, Haataja S, Meyer-Klaucke W, Finne J, Papageorgiou AC. Magnetic properties and structural characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles formed by Streptococcus suis Dpr and four mutants. J Biol Inorg Chem 2011; 16:799-807. [PMID: 21487937 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-011-0781-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus suis Dpr belongs to the Dps family of bacterial and archaeal proteins that oxidize Fe(2+) to Fe(3+) to protect microorganisms from oxidative damage. The oxidized iron is subsequently deposited as ferrihydrite inside a protein cavity, resulting in the formation of an iron core. The size and the magnetic properties of the iron core have attracted considerable attention for nanotechnological applications in recent years. Here, the magnetic and structural properties of the iron core in wild-type Dpr and four cavity mutants were studied. All samples clearly demonstrated a superparamagnetic behavior in superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy compatible with that of superparamagnetic ferrihydrite nanoparticles. However, all the mutants exhibited higher magnetic moments than the wild-type protein. Furthermore, measurement of the iron content with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed a smaller amount of iron in the iron cores of the mutants, suggesting that the mutations affect nucleation and iron deposition inside the cavity. The X-ray crystal structures of the mutants revealed no changes compared with the wild-type crystal structure; thus, the differences in the magnetic moments could not be attributed to structural changes in the protein. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements showed that the coordination geometry of the iron cores of the mutants was similar to that of the wild-type protein. Taken together, these results suggest that mutation of the residues that surround the iron storage cavity could be exploited to selectively modify the magnetic properties of the iron core without affecting the structure of the protein and the geometry of the iron core.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teemu Haikarainen
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
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24
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Khare G, Gupta V, Nangpal P, Gupta RK, Sauter NK, Tyagi AK. Ferritin structure from Mycobacterium tuberculosis: comparative study with homologues identifies extended C-terminus involved in ferroxidase activity. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18570. [PMID: 21494619 PMCID: PMC3072985 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2010] [Accepted: 03/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferritins are recognized as key players in the iron storage and detoxification processes. Iron acquisition in the case of pathogenic bacteria has long been established as an important virulence mechanism. Here, we report a 3.0 Å crystal structure of a ferritin, annotated as Bacterioferritin B (BfrB), from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis that continues to be one of the world's deadliest diseases. Similar to the other members of ferritin family, the Mtb BfrB subunit exhibits the characteristic fold of a four-helical bundle that possesses the ferroxidase catalytic centre. We compare the structure of Mtb BfrB with representatives of the ferritin family belonging to the archaea, eubacteria and eukarya. Unlike most other ferritins, Mtb BfrB has an extended C-terminus. To dissect the role of this extended C-terminus, truncated Mtb BfrB was purified and biochemical studies implicate this region in ferroxidase activity and iron release in addition to providing stability to the protein. Functionally important regions in a protein of known 3D-structure can be determined by estimating the degree of conservation of the amino-acid sites with its close homologues. Based on the comparative studies, we identify the slowly evolving conserved sites as well as the rapidly evolving variable sites and analyze their role in relation to structure and function of Mtb BfrB. Further, electrostatic computations demonstrate that although the electrostatic environment of catalytic residues is preserved within the family, extensive variability is exhibited by residues defining the channels and pores, in all likelihood keeping up with the diverse functions executed by these ferritins in varied environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Khare
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Vibha Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Prachi Nangpal
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh K. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
- Ram Lal Anand College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Nicholas K. Sauter
- Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Anil K. Tyagi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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25
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Choi SH, Choi K, Chan Kwon I, Ahn HJ. The incorporation of GALA peptide into a protein cage for an acid-inducible molecular switch. Biomaterials 2010; 31:5191-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2010] [Accepted: 03/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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26
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Luscieti S, Santambrogio P, Langlois d'Estaintot B, Granier T, Cozzi A, Poli M, Gallois B, Finazzi D, Cattaneo A, Levi S, Arosio P. Mutant ferritin L-chains that cause neurodegeneration act in a dominant-negative manner to reduce ferritin iron incorporation. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:11948-57. [PMID: 20159981 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.096404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide insertions that modify the C terminus of ferritin light chain (FTL) cause neurodegenerative movement disorders named neuroferritinopathies, which are inherited with dominant transmission. The disorders are characterized by abnormal brain iron accumulation. Here we describe the biochemical and crystallographic characterization of pathogenic FTL mutant p.Phe167SerfsX26 showing that it is a functional ferritin with an altered conformation of the C terminus. Moreover we analyze functional and stability properties of ferritin heteropolymers made of 20-23 H-chains and 1-4 L-chains with representative pathogenic mutations or the last 10-28 residues truncated. All the heteropolymers containing the pathogenic or truncated mutants had a strongly reduced capacity to incorporate iron, both when expressed in Escherichia coli, and in vitro when iron was supplied as Fe(III) in the presence of ascorbate. The mutations also reduced the physical stability of the heteropolymers. The data indicate that even a few mutated L-chains are sufficient to alter the permeability of 1-2 of the 6 hydrophobic channels and modify ferritin capacity to incorporate iron. The dominant-negative action of the mutations explains the dominant transmission of the disorder. The data support the hypothesis that hereditary ferritinopathies are due to alterations of ferritin functionality and provide new input on the mechanism of the function of isoferritins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Luscieti
- Dipartimento Materno Infantile e Tecnologie Biomediche, Università di Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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27
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Fan R, Boyle AL, Cheong VV, Ng SL, Orner BP. A Helix Swapping Study of Two Protein Cages. Biochemistry 2009; 48:5623-30. [DOI: 10.1021/bi900387t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rongli Fan
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371
| | - Aimee L. Boyle
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Vee Vee Cheong
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371
| | - See Liang Ng
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371
| | - Brendan P. Orner
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371
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28
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Beazley KE, Nurminskaya M, Talbot CJ, Linsenmayer TF. Corneal epithelial nuclear ferritin: developmental regulation of ferritin and its nuclear transporter ferritoid. Dev Dyn 2009; 237:2529-41. [PMID: 18729209 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is exposed to reactive oxygen species that are potentially deleterious to nuclear DNA. However, our previous studies show that corneal epithelial cells have a novel, developmentally regulated mechanism for protection from such damage that involves having the iron-sequestering molecule, ferritin, in the nucleus. Nuclear localization of ferritin is achieved through the action of a tissue-specific nuclear transporter, ferritoid, which is itself a ferritin family member. Here, we show that during development ferritoid appears before ferritin. At this time, ferritoid is cytoplasmic, suggesting that its nuclear transport function requires an interaction with ferritin. To examine the developmental regulation of these two interacting components, cultured corneas were treated with the iron chelator deferoxamine. The results show that, while iron-mediated translational regulation is involved in the synthesis of both molecules, ferritoid is also transcriptionally regulated, demonstrating that these family members--whose functions depend upon one another--are regulated differently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Beazley
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA
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29
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Lee SH, Lee H, Park JS, Choi H, Han KY, Seo HS, Ahn KY, Han SS, Cho Y, Lee KH, Lee J. A novel approach to ultrasensitive diagnosis using supramolecular protein nanoparticles. FASEB J 2007; 21:1324-34. [PMID: 17283220 DOI: 10.1096/fj.06-7303com] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
We report on the ultrasensitive protein nanoprobe system that specifically captures disease marker (autoantibodies of Type I diabetes in this case) with attomolar sensitivity. The system relies on supramolecular protein nanoparticles that bind a specific antibody [65 kDa glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65)-specific autoantibody, i.e., the early marker of Type I diabetes]. The ultrasensitive detection of early marker of Type I diabetes during the early phase of pancreatic beta-cell destruction is important because individuals at high risk of developing Type I diabetes can be identified several years before the clinical onset of the ailment. The bacterial expression of chimera genes encoding N-[human ferritin heavy chain (hFTN-H)]::[specific antigenic epitope]-C produces supramolecular nanoparticles with uniform diameters (10-15 nm), owing to self-assembly activity of hFTN-H. Each nanoparticle, formed by intermolecular self-assembly between the chimera protein molecules, is subjected to carrying a large number (presumably, 24) of epitopes with a homogeneous and stable conformation per autoantibody binding, thereby allowing substantial enhancement of sensitivity. The sensitivity was finally boosted to 3 attomolar concentration of the autoantibodies, 4-9 orders of magnitude more sensitive than conventional immunoassays. Also, this ultrasensitive protein nanoprobe successfully detected natural autoantibodies in the sera from Type I diabetic patients. The attomolar sensitivity was successfully reproduced on the detection of other antibodies, i.e., monoclonal antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen. With the two antibody markers above, the feasibility of simultaneous and multiplexing-mode detection was also demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hyun Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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30
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Swift J, Wehbi WA, Kelly BD, Stowell XF, Saven JG, Dmochowski IJ. Design of Functional Ferritin-Like Proteins with Hydrophobic Cavities. J Am Chem Soc 2006; 128:6611-9. [PMID: 16704261 DOI: 10.1021/ja057069x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ferritin four-helix bundle subunits self-assemble to create a stable multimer with a large central hydrophilic cavity where metal ions bind. To explore the versatility of this reaction vessel, computational design was used to generate cavities with increasingly apolar surface areas inside a dodecameric ferritin-like protein, Dps. Cavity mutants, in which as many as 120 surface accessible hydrophilic residues were replaced with hydrophobic amino acids, were shown to still assemble properly using size-exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering measurements. Wild-type Dps exhibited highly cooperative subunit folding and assembly, which was monitored by changes in Trp fluorescence and UV circular dichroism. The hydrophobic cavity mutants showed distinctly less cooperative unfolding behavior, with one mutant forming a partially assembled intermediate upon guanidine denaturation. Although the stability of Dps to such denaturation decreased with increasing apolar surface area, all proteins exhibited high melting temperatures, T(m) = 74-90 degrees C. Despite the large number of mutations, near-native ability to mineralize iron was maintained. This work illustrates the versatility of the ferritin scaffold for engineering large protein cavities with novel properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Swift
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, USA
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31
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Linsenmayer TF, Cai CX, Millholland JM, Beazley KE, Fitch JM. Nuclear ferritin in corneal epithelial cells: tissue-specific nuclear transport and protection from UV-damage. Prog Retin Eye Res 2004; 24:139-59. [PMID: 15610971 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2004.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We have identified the heavy chain of ferritin as a developmentally regulated nuclear protein of embryonic chicken corneal epithelial cells. The nuclear ferritin is assembled into a supramolecular form that is indistinguishable from the cytoplasmic form of ferritin found in other cell types. Thus it most likely has iron-sequestering capabilities. Free iron, via the Fenton reaction, is known to exacerbate UV-induced and other oxidative damage to cellular components, including DNA. Since corneal epithelial cells are constantly exposed to UV light, we hypothesized that the nuclear ferritin might protect the DNA of these cells from free radical damage. To test this possibility, primary cultures of cells from corneal epithelium and other tissues were UV irradiated, and damage to DNA was detected by an in situ 3'-end labeling assay. Consistent with the hypothesis, corneal epithelial cells with nuclear ferritin had significantly less DNA breakage than the other cells types examined. However, when the expression of nuclear ferritin was inhibited the cells now became much more susceptible to UV-induced DNA damage. Since ferritin is normally cytoplasmic, corneal epithelial cells must have a mechanism that effects its nuclear localization. We have determined that this involves a nuclear transport molecule which binds to ferritin and carries it into the nucleus. This transporter, which we have termed ferritoid for its similarity to ferritin, has at least two domains. One domain is ferritin-like and is responsible for binding the ferritin; the other domain contains a nuclear localization signal that is responsible for effecting the nuclear transport. Therefore, it seems that corneal epithelial cells have evolved a novel, nuclear ferritin-based mechanism for protecting their DNA against UV damage. In addition, since ferritoid is structurally similar to ferritin, it may represent an example of a nuclear transporter that evolved from the molecule it transports (i.e., ferritin).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Linsenmayer
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Tufts University Medical School, Boston MA 02111, USA.
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32
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Langlois d'Estaintot B, Santambrogio P, Granier T, Gallois B, Chevalier JM, Précigoux G, Levi S, Arosio P. Crystal structure and biochemical properties of the human mitochondrial ferritin and its mutant Ser144Ala. J Mol Biol 2004; 340:277-93. [PMID: 15201052 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2004.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2004] [Revised: 04/19/2004] [Accepted: 04/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial ferritin is a recently identified protein precursor encoded by an intronless gene. It is specifically taken up by the mitochondria and processed to a mature protein that assembles into functional ferritin shells. The full mature recombinant protein and its S144A mutant were produced to study structural and functional properties. They yielded high quality crystals from Mg(II) solutions which diffracted up to 1.38 Angstrom resolution. The 3D structures of the two proteins resulted very similar to that of human H-ferritin, to which they have high level of sequence identity (approximately 80%). Metal-binding sites were identified in the native crystals and in those soaked in Mn(II) and Zn(II) solutions. The ferroxidase center binds binuclear iron at the sites A and B, and the structures showed that the A site was always fully occupied by Mg(II), Mn(II) or Zn(II), while the occupancy of the B site was variable. In addition, distinct Mg(II) and Zn(II)-binding sites were found in the 3-fold axes to block the hydrophilic channels. Other metal-binding sites, never observed before in H-ferritin, were found on the cavity surface near the ferroxidase center and near the 4-fold axes. Mitochondrial ferritin showed biochemical properties remarkably similar to those of human H-ferritin, except for the difficulty in renaturing to yield ferritin shells and for a reduced ( approximately 41%) rate in ferroxidase activity. This was partially rescued by the substitution of the bulkier Ser144 with Ala, which occurs in H-ferritin. The residue is exposed on a channel that connects the ferroxidase center with the cavity. The finding that the mutation increased both catalytic activity and the occupancy of the B site demonstrated that the channel is functionally important. In conclusion, the present data define the structure of human mitochondrial ferritin and provide new data on the iron pathways within the H-type ferritin shell.
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Malone SA, Lewin A, Kilic MA, Svistunenko DA, Cooper CE, Wilson MT, Le Brun NE, Spiro S, Moore GR. Protein-Template-Driven Formation of Polynuclear Iron Species. J Am Chem Soc 2003; 126:496-504. [PMID: 14719947 DOI: 10.1021/ja036483z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ferritins are iron-storage proteins capable of holding up to 4500 Fe(3+) ions within a single water-soluble protein shell made from 24 polypeptide chains. The Glu128Arg/Glu135Arg mutants of Escherichia coli and Rhodobacter capsulatus bacterioferritins are unable to associate into 24-meric structures, with dimers of polypeptide chains being their stable forms. The aerobic addition to these of up to 8-10 or 14-20 Fe(2+) ions per dimer, respectively, results in the oxidation of the added Fe(2+) to Fe(3+). Gel permeation chromatography and sedimentation equilibrium studies confirm that the Fe(3+) ions are associated with the polypeptide dimer, and the lack of intense EPR signals from magnetically isolated Fe(3+) ions confirms the formation of one or more antiferromagnetically coupled clusters of Fe(3+) ions. The effect of Fe(3+) chelators on iron-loaded subunit dimers is to remove the Fe(3+) from the protein, but to do so slowly, consistent with it not being merely adventitiously associated with protein. These data provide experimental support for the presence of nucleation centers for the mineral cores in bacterioferritins and indicate that these proteins are not simply acting as vessels in which hydrolysis of Fe(3+) occurs independent from the protein surface. From analyses of X-ray structures and amino acid sequence comparisons, possible nucleation sites are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon A Malone
- School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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34
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Abstract
Serum ferritin has been used widely in clinical medicine chiefly as an indicator of iron stores and inflammation. Circulating ferritin also can have paracrine effects. Despite the clinical significance of serum ferritin, its secretion remains an enigma. The consensus view is that serum ferritin arises from tissue ferritins--principally ferritin light--which can be glycosylated. Ferritin heavy and light chains are cytosolic proteins that form cages of 24 subunits to store intracellular iron. We show that ferritin light is secreted when its expression is increased in stable, transfected HepG2 cells or adenovirus-infected HepG2 cells. Export occurs through the classical secretory pathway and some chains are N-glycosylated. Ferritins do not need to form cages prior to secretion. Secretion is blocked specifically, effectively, and rapidly by a factor in serum. The timing of this inhibition of ferritin secretion suggests that normally cytosolic ferritin L is targeted to the secretory pathway during translation despite the absence of a conventional signal sequence. Thus, secretion of glycosylated and unglycosylated ferritin is a regulated and not a stochastic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmistha Ghosh
- Molecular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Kilic MA, Spiro S, Moore GR. Stability of a 24-meric homopolymer: comparative studies of assembly-defective mutants of Rhodobacter capsulatus bacterioferritin and the native protein. Protein Sci 2003; 12:1663-74. [PMID: 12876316 PMCID: PMC2323953 DOI: 10.1110/ps.0301903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2003] [Revised: 04/24/2003] [Accepted: 05/19/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The stability of Rhodobacter capsulatus bacterioferritin, a 24-meric homopolymer, toward denaturation on variation in pH and temperature, and increasing concentrations of urea and guanidine.HCl was investigated with native PAGE, and CD and fluorescence spectroscopies. With temperature and urea, the wild-type protein denatured without discernible intermediates in the equilibrium experiments, but with guanidine.HCl (Gnd.HCl) one or more intermediate species were apparent at relatively low Gnd.HCl concentrations. Dissociated subunit monomers, or aggregates smaller than 24-mers containing the high alpha-helical content characteristic of the native protein were not obtained at any pH without a high proportion of the 24-mer being present, and taken together with the other denaturation experiments and the construction of stable subunit dimers by site-directed mutagenesis, this observation indicates that folding of the bacterioferritin monomer could be coupled to its association into a dimer. Glu 128 and Glu 135 were replaced by alanine and arginine in a series of mutants to determine their role in stabilizing the 24-meric oligomer. The Glu128Ala, Glu135Ala and Glu135Arg variants retained a 24-meric structure, but the Glu128Ala/Glu135Ala and Glu128Arg/Glu135Arg variants were stable subunit dimers. CD spectra of the Glu135Arg, Glu128Ala/Glu135Ala, and Glu128Arg/Glu135Arg variants showed that they retained the high alpha-helical content of the wild-type protein. The 24-meric Glu135Arg variant was less stable than the wild-type protein (T(m), [Urea](50%) and [Gnd.HCl](50%) of 59 degrees C, 4.9 M and 3.2 M compared with 73 degrees C, approximately 8 M and 4.3 M, respectively), and the dimeric Glu128Arg/Glu135Arg variant was less stable still (T(m), [Urea](50%) and [Gnd.HCl](50%) of 43 degrees C, approximately 3.2 M and 1.8 M, respectively). The differences in stability are roughly additive, indicating that the salt-bridges formed by Glu 128 and Glu 135 in the native oligomer, with Arg 61 and the amino-terminal amine of neighboring subunits, respectively, contribute equally to the stability of the subunit assembly. The additivity and assembly states of the variant proteins suggest that the interactions involving Glu 128 and Glu 135 contribute significantly to stabilizing the 24-mer relative to the subunit dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet A Kilic
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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Millholland JM, Fitch JM, Cai CX, Gibney EP, Beazley KE, Linsenmayer TF. Ferritoid, a tissue-specific nuclear transport protein for ferritin in corneal epithelial cells. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:23963-70. [PMID: 12697769 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m210050200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously we reported that ferritin in corneal epithelial (CE) cells is a nuclear protein that protects DNA from UV damage. Since ferritin is normally cytoplasmic, in CE cells, a mechanism must exist that effects its nuclear localization. We have now determined that this involves a nuclear transport molecule we have termed ferritoid. Ferritoid is specific for CE cells and is developmentally regulated. Structurally, ferritoid contains multiple domains, including a functional SV40-type nuclear localization signal and a ferritin-like region of approximately 50% similarity to ferritin itself. This latter domain is likely responsible for the interaction between ferritoid and ferritin detected by co-immunoprecipitation analysis. To test functionally whether ferritoid is capable of transporting ferritin into the nucleus, we performed cotransfections of COS-1 cells with constructs for ferritoid and ferritin. Consistent with the proposed nuclear transport function for ferritoid, co-transfections with full-length constructs for ferritoid and ferritin resulted in a preferential nuclear localization of both molecules; this was not observed when the nuclear localization signal of ferritoid was deleted. Moreover, since ferritoid is structurally similar to ferritin, it may be an example of a nuclear transporter that evolved from the molecule it transports (ferritin).
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Millholland
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Tufts University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA
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Crompton DE, Chinnery PF, Fey C, Curtis ARJ, Morris CM, Kierstan J, Burt A, Young F, Coulthard A, Curtis A, Ince PG, Bates D, Jackson MJ, Burn J. Neuroferritinopathy: a window on the role of iron in neurodegeneration. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2002; 29:522-31. [PMID: 12547246 DOI: 10.1006/bcmd.2002.0589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Neuroferritinopathy is a recently recognised genetic disease resulting in a dominantly inherited movement disorder. The condition was mapped by linkage analysis to chromosome 19q13.3 and found to be due to a single adenine insertion in the ferritin light chain (FTL) gene at position 460-461 which is predicted to alter the C terminus of the FTL polypeptide. Clinical features of neuroferritinopathy are highly variable, with chorea, dystonia, and Parkinsonian features predominating in different affected individuals. The most consistent feature is a dystonic dysarthria. Symptoms and abnormal physical signs appear to be restricted to the nervous system and onset is typically in the fourth to sixth decades. Low serum ferritin also characterises this condition. Brain MR imaging of affected patients demonstrates iron deposition in the basal ganglia, progressing over years to cystic degeneration, and brain histochemistry shows abnormal aggregates of ferritin and iron. Now that the molecular basis of the condition is known, therapeutic interventions to reduce or reverse brain iron deposition are being evaluated. This rare disease provides evidence of a central role for iron metabolism in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas E Crompton
- Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
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Santambrogio P, Cozzi A, Levi S, Rovida E, Magni F, Albertini A, Arosio P. Functional and immunological analysis of recombinant mouse H- and L-ferritins from Escherichia coli. Protein Expr Purif 2000; 19:212-8. [PMID: 10833409 DOI: 10.1006/prep.2000.1212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The production and characterization of recombinant mouse H- and L-ferritin chains from Escherichia coli are described. The proteins were efficiently expressed and purified with yields of 7-40 mg per liter of cell culture. They had the expected molecular mass and showed a physical stability analogous to that of the corresponding human ferritins. Mouse H- and L-ferritins had a very similar mobility on denaturing SDS-PAGE, but could be readily separated on nondenaturing PAGE because of the distinct slow mobility of mouse L-ferritin. Direct comparative experiments showed that mouse and human H-ferritins had the same iron incorporation activity, whereas mouse L-ferritin incorporated iron less efficiently than human L-ferritin. The difference was attributed to the substitution of a residue exposed on the cavity surface (Glu140 --> Lys) in mouse L-ferritin, a hypothesis confirmed by the finding that the mouse L-ferritin mutant Lys140-Glu incorporated iron as efficiently as human L-ferritin. Rabbit antisera elicited by the recombinant mouse ferritins were specific for the H- and L-chains and did not cross-react with the human ferritins. The antibodies and the derived specific ELISA assays allow the determination of H- and L-ferritins in mouse tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Santambrogio
- Protein Engineering Unit, Department of Biological and Technological Research (Dibit), Institute H. San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Takagi H, Shi D, Ha Y, Allewell NM, Theil EC. Localized unfolding at the junction of three ferritin subunits. A mechanism for iron release? J Biol Chem 1998; 273:18685-8. [PMID: 9668036 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.273.30.18685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
How and where iron exits from ferritin for cellular use is unknown. Twenty-four protein subunits create a cavity in ferritin where iron is concentrated >10(11)-fold as a mineral. Proline substitution for conserved leucine 134 (L134P) allowed normal assembly but increased iron exit rates. X-ray crystallography of H-L134P ferritin revealed localized unfolding at the 3-fold axis, also iron entry sites, consistent with shared use sites for iron exit and entry. The junction of three ferritin subunits appears to be a dynamic aperture with a "shutter" that cytoplasmic factors might open or close to regulate iron release in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Takagi
- Department of Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7622, USA
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40
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Small-scale structures in biomineralisation and biomimetic materials chemistry. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-0294(98)80043-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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