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Karanth S, Benthin J, Wiesenfarth M, Somoza V, Koehler M. Nanodisc Technology: Direction toward Physicochemical Characterization of Chemosensory Membrane Proteins in Food Flavor Research. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:14521-14529. [PMID: 38906535 PMCID: PMC11228972 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Chemosensory membrane proteins such as G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) drive flavor perception of food formulations. To achieve this, a detailed understanding of the structure and function of these membrane proteins is needed, which is often limited by the extraction and purification methods involved. The proposed nanodisc methodology helps overcome some of these existing challenges such as protein stability and solubilization along with their reconstitution from a native cell-membrane environment. Being well-established in structural biology procedures, nanodiscs offer this elegant solution by using, e.g., a membrane scaffold protein (MSP) or styrene-maleic acid (SMA) polymer, which interacts directly with the cell membrane during protein reconstitution. Such derived proteins retain their biophysical properties without compromising the membrane architecture. Here, we seek to show that these lipidic systems can be explored for insights with a focus on chemosensory membrane protein morphology and structure, conformational dynamics of protein-ligand interactions, and binding kinetics to answer pending questions in flavor research. Additionally, the compatibility of nanodiscs across varied (labeled or label-free) techniques offers significant leverage, which has been highlighted here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjai Karanth
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of
Munich, Lise-Meitner-Strasse 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Julia Benthin
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of
Munich, Lise-Meitner-Strasse 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
- TUM
Graduate School, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Alte Akademie 8, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Marina Wiesenfarth
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of
Munich, Lise-Meitner-Strasse 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
- TUM
Graduate School, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Alte Akademie 8, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Veronika Somoza
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of
Munich, Lise-Meitner-Strasse 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Chair
of Nutritional Systems Biology, Technical
University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Department
of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Melanie Koehler
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of
Munich, Lise-Meitner-Strasse 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
- TUM
Junior Fellow at the Chair of Nutritional Systems Biology, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
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2
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Agyemang E, Gonneville AN, Tiruvadi-Krishnan S, Lamichhane R. Exploring GPCR conformational dynamics using single-molecule fluorescence. Methods 2024; 226:35-48. [PMID: 38604413 PMCID: PMC11098685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.03.011] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane proteins that transmit specific external stimuli into cells by changing their conformation. This conformational change allows them to couple and activate G-proteins to initiate signal transduction. A critical challenge in studying and inferring these structural dynamics arises from the complexity of the cellular environment, including the presence of various endogenous factors. Due to the recent advances in cell-expression systems, membrane-protein purification techniques, and labeling approaches, it is now possible to study the structural dynamics of GPCRs at a single-molecule level both in vitro and in live cells. In this review, we discuss state-of-the-art techniques and strategies for expressing, purifying, and labeling GPCRs in the context of single-molecule research. We also highlight four recent studies that demonstrate the applications of single-molecule microscopy in revealing the dynamics of GPCRs. These techniques are also useful as complementary methods to verify the results obtained from other structural biology tools like cryo-electron microscopy and x-ray crystallography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Agyemang
- UT-ORNL Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Alyssa N Gonneville
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Sriram Tiruvadi-Krishnan
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Rajan Lamichhane
- UT-ORNL Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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3
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Woubshete M, Cioccolo S, Byrne B. Advances in Membrane Mimetic Systems for Manipulation and Analysis of Membrane Proteins: Detergents, Polymers, Lipids and Scaffolds. Chempluschem 2024; 89:e202300678. [PMID: 38315323 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300678] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Extracting membrane proteins from the hydrophobic environment of the biological membrane, in a physiologically relevant and stable state, suitable for downstream analysis remains a challenge. The traditional route to membrane protein extraction has been to use detergents and the last 15 years or so have seen a veritable explosion in the development of novel detergents with improved properties, making them more suitable for individual proteins and specific applications. There have also been significant advances in the development of encapsulation of membrane proteins in lipid based nanodiscs, either directly from the native membrane using polymers allowing effective capture of the protein and protein-associated membrane lipids, or via reconstitution of detergent extracted and purified protein into nanodiscs of defined lipid composition. All of these advances have been successfully applied to the study of membrane proteins via a range of techniques and there have been some spectacular membrane protein structures solved. In addition, the first detailed structural and biophysical analyses of membrane proteins retained within a biological membrane have been reported. Here we summarise and review the recent advances with respect to these new agents and systems for membrane protein extraction, reconstitution and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menebere Woubshete
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Cioccolo
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City, London, W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Bernadette Byrne
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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4
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Ayub H, Murray RJ, Kuyler GC, Napier-Khwaja F, Gunner J, Dafforn TR, Klumperman B, Poyner DR, Wheatley M. GPCRs in the round: SMA-like copolymers and SMALPs as a platform for investigating GPCRs. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 754:109946. [PMID: 38395122 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane proteins, regulate a plethora of physiological responses and are the therapeutic target for 30-40% of clinically-prescribed drugs. They are integral membrane proteins deeply embedded in the plasma membrane where they activate intracellular signalling via coupling to G-proteins and β-arrestin. GPCRs are in intimate association with the bilayer lipids and that lipid environment regulates the signalling functions of GPCRs. This complex lipid 'landscape' is both heterogeneous and dynamic. GPCR function is modulated by bulk membrane properties including membrane fluidity, microdomains, curvature, thickness and asymmetry but GPCRs are also regulated by specific lipid:GPCR binding, including cholesterol and anionic lipids. Understanding the molecular mechanisms whereby GPCR signalling is regulated by lipids is a very active area of research currently. A major advance in membrane protein research in recent years was the application of poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) copolymers. These spontaneously generate SMA lipid particles (SMALPs) encapsulating membrane protein in a nano-scale disc of cell membrane, thereby removing the historical need for detergent and preserving lipid:GPCR interaction. The focus of this review is how GPCR-SMALPs are increasing our understanding of GPCR structure and function at the molecular level. Furthermore, an increasing number of 'second generation' SMA-like copolymers have been reported recently. These are reviewed from the context of increasing our understanding of GPCR molecular mechanisms. Moreover, their potential as a novel platform for downstream biophysical and structural analyses is assessed and looking ahead, the translational application of SMA-like copolymers to GPCR drug discovery programmes in the future is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoor Ayub
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK.
| | - Rebecca J Murray
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK; Department of Chemistry and Polymer Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Gestél C Kuyler
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK; Department of Chemistry and Polymer Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | | | - Joseph Gunner
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Tim R Dafforn
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Bert Klumperman
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - David R Poyner
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Mark Wheatley
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK
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5
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Hořejší V, Angelisová P, Pokorná J, Charnavets T, Benada O, Čajka T, Brdička T. Novel class of peptides disintegrating biological membranes to aid in the characterization of membrane proteins. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107154. [PMID: 38479603 PMCID: PMC11002605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Styrene-maleic acid (SMA) and similar amphiphilic copolymers are known to cut biological membranes into lipid nanoparticles/nanodiscs containing membrane proteins apparently in their relatively native membrane lipid environment. Our previous work demonstrated that membrane raft microdomains resist such disintegration by SMA. The use of SMA in studying membrane proteins is limited by its heterogeneity and the inability to prepare defined derivatives. In the present paper, we demonstrate that some amphiphilic peptides structurally mimicking SMA also similarly disintegrate cell membranes. In contrast to the previously used copolymers, the simple peptides are structurally homogeneous. We found that their membrane-disintegrating activity increases with their length (reaching optimum at 24 amino acids) and requires a basic primary structure, that is, (XXD)n, where X represents a hydrophobic amino acid (optimally phenylalanine), D aspartic acid, and n is the number of repeats of these triplets. These peptides may provide opportunities for various well-defined potentially useful modifications in the study of membrane protein biochemistry. Our present results confirm a specific character of membrane raft microdomains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Václav Hořejší
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavla Angelisová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Pokorná
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tatsiana Charnavets
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Oldřich Benada
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Čajka
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Brdička
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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6
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Mendoza-Hoffmann F, Guo C, Song Y, Feng D, Yang L, Wüthrich K. 19F-NMR studies of the impact of different detergents and nanodiscs on the A 2A adenosine receptor. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2024; 78:31-37. [PMID: 38072902 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-023-00430-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
For the A2A adenosine receptor (A2AAR), a class A G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), reconstituted in n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside (DDM)/cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS) mixed micelles, previous 19F-NMR studies revealed the presence of multiple simultaneously populated conformational states. Here, we study the influence of a different detergent, lauryl maltose neopentyl glycol (LMNG) in mixed micelles with CHS, and of lipid bilayer nanodiscs on these conformational equilibria. The populations of locally different substates are pronouncedly different in DDM/CHS and LMNG/CHS micelles, whereas the A2AAR conformational manifold in LMNG/CHS micelles is closely similar to that in the lipid bilayer nanodiscs. Considering that nanodiscs represent a closer match of the natural lipid bilayer membrane, these observations support that LMNG/CHS micelles are a good choice for reconstitution trials of class A GPCRs for NMR studies in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Mendoza-Hoffmann
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- Faculty of Chemistry Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), Tijuana, México
| | - Canyong Guo
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yanzhuo Song
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- DGI Tech (Qingdao) Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Dandan Feng
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Lingyun Yang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Kurt Wüthrich
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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7
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Krishnarjuna B, Sharma G, Ravula T, Ramamoorthy A. Factors influencing the detergent-free membrane protein isolation using synthetic nanodisc-forming polymers. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184240. [PMID: 37866688 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The detergent-free isolation of membrane proteins using synthetic polymers is becoming the desired approach for functional and structural studies of membrane proteins. Since the expression levels for many membrane proteins are low and a high yield of functionalized reconstituted membrane proteins is essential for in vitro studies, it is crucial to optimize the experimental conditions for a given polymer to solubilize target membranes/proteins effectively. The factors that affect membrane solubilization and subsequently the isolation of a target membrane protein include polymer concentration, polymer charge, temperature, pH, and concentration of divalent metal ions. Therefore, it is important to have knowledge about the efficacy of different types of polymers in solubilizing cell membranes. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of inulin-based non-ionic polymers in solubilizing E. coli membranes enriched with rat flavin mononucleotide binding-domain (FBD) of cytochrome-P450-reductase (CPR) and rabbit cytochrome-b5 (Cyt-b5) under various solubilization conditions. Our results show that a 1:1 (w/w) membrane:polymer ratio, low temperature, high pH and sub-millimolar concentration of metal ions favor the solubilization of E. coli membranes enriched with FBD or Cyt-b5. Conversely, the presence of excess divalent metal ions affected the final protein levels in the polymer-solubilized samples. We believe that the results from this study provide knowledge to assess and plan the use of non-ionic polymers in membrane protein studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bankala Krishnarjuna
- Biophysics Program, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gaurav Sharma
- Biophysics Program, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Thirupathi Ravula
- Biophysics Program, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA.
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8
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Dirnberger B, Korona D, Popovic R, Deery MJ, Barber H, Russell S, Lilley KS. Enrichment of Membrane Proteins for Downstream Analysis Using Styrene Maleic Acid Lipid Particles (SMALPs) Extraction. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4728. [PMID: 37575399 PMCID: PMC10415199 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins are an important class of cellular proteins. These take part in key cellular processes such as signaling transducing receptors to transporters, many operating within the plasma membrane. More than half of the FDA-approved protein-targeting drugs operate via interaction with proteins that contain at least one membrane-spanning region, yet the characterization and study of their native interactions with therapeutic agents remains a significant challenge. This challenge is due in part to such proteins often being present in small quantities within a cell. Effective solubilization of membrane proteins is also problematic, with the detergents typically employed in solubilizing membranes leading to a loss of functional activity and key interacting partners. In recent years, alternative methods to extract membrane proteins within their native lipid environment have been investigated, with the aim of producing functional nanodiscs, maintaining protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions. A promising approach involves extracting membrane proteins in the form of styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs) that allow the retention of their native conformation. This extraction method offers many advantages for further protein analysis and allows the study of the protein interactions with other molecules, such as drugs. Here, we describe a protocol for efficient SMALP extraction of functionally active membrane protein complexes within nanodiscs. We showcase the method on the isolation of a low copy number plasma membrane receptor complex, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), from adult Drosophila melanogaster heads. We demonstrate that these nanodiscs can be used to study native receptor-ligand interactions. This protocol can be applied across many biological scenarios to extract the native conformations of low copy number integral membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict Dirnberger
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dagmara Korona
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rebeka Popovic
- MRC Toxicology Unit, Gleeson Building, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Deery
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Barber
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Russell
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn S. Lilley
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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9
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Manzer ZA, Selivanovitch E, Ostwalt AR, Daniel S. Membrane protein synthesis: no cells required. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:642-654. [PMID: 37087310 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in membrane protein (MP) structural biology and a growing interest in their applications, these proteins remain challenging to study. Progress has been hindered by the complex nature of MPs and innovative methods will be required to circumvent technical hurdles. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is a burgeoning technique for synthesizing MPs directly into a membrane environment using reconstituted components of the cellular transcription and translation machinery in vitro. We provide an overview of CFPS and how this technique can be applied to the synthesis and study of MPs. We highlight numerous strategies including synthesis methods and folding environments, each with advantages and limitations, to provide a survey of how CFPS techniques can advance the study of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Manzer
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ekaterina Selivanovitch
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Alexis R Ostwalt
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Susan Daniel
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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10
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Zhou R, Zhang S, Nguyen HT, Ding H, Gaffney A, Kappes JC, Smith AB, Sodroski JG. Conformations of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Envelope Glycoproteins in Detergents and Styrene-Maleic Acid Lipid Particles. J Virol 2023; 97:e0032723. [PMID: 37255444 PMCID: PMC10308955 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00327-23] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The mature human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer, which consists of noncovalently associated gp120 exterior and gp41 transmembrane subunits, mediates virus entry into cells. The pretriggered (State-1) Env conformation is the major target for broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), whereas receptor-induced downstream Env conformations elicit immunodominant, poorly neutralizing antibody (pNAb) responses. To examine the contribution of membrane anchorage to the maintenance of the metastable pretriggered Env conformation, we compared wild-type and State-1-stabilized Envs solubilized in detergents or in styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers. SMA directly incorporates membrane lipids and resident membrane proteins into lipid nanoparticles (styrene-maleic acid lipid particles [SMALPs]). The integrity of the Env trimer in SMALPs was maintained at both 4°C and room temperature. In contrast, Envs solubilized in Cymal-5, a nonionic detergent, were unstable at room temperature, although their stability was improved at 4°C and/or after incubation with the entry inhibitor BMS-806. Envs solubilized in ionic detergents were relatively unstable at either temperature. Comparison of Envs solubilized in Cymal-5 and SMA at 4°C revealed subtle differences in bNAb binding to the gp41 membrane-proximal external region, consistent with these distinct modes of Env solubilization. Otherwise, the antigenicity of the Cymal-5- and SMA-solubilized Envs was remarkably similar, both in the absence and in the presence of BMS-806. However, both solubilized Envs were recognized differently from the mature membrane Env by specific bNAbs and pNAbs. Thus, detergent-based and detergent-free solubilization at 4°C alters the pretriggered membrane Env conformation in consistent ways, suggesting that Env assumes default conformations when its association with the membrane is disrupted. IMPORTANCE The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoproteins (Envs) in the viral membrane mediate virus entry into the host cell and are targeted by neutralizing antibodies elicited by natural infection or vaccines. Detailed studies of membrane proteins rely on purification procedures that allow the proteins to maintain their natural conformation. In this study, we show that a styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymer can extract HIV-1 Env from a membrane without the use of detergents. The Env in SMA is more stable at room temperature than Env in detergents. The purified Env in SMA maintains many but not all of the characteristics expected of the natural membrane Env. Our results underscore the importance of the membrane environment to the native conformation of HIV-1 Env. Purification methods that bypass the need for detergents could be useful tools for future studies of HIV-1 Env structure and its interaction with receptors and antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhou
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shijian Zhang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hanh T. Nguyen
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haitao Ding
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Research Service, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Althea Gaffney
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John C. Kappes
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Research Service, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Amos B. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph G. Sodroski
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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11
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Real Hernandez LM, Levental I. Lipid packing is disrupted in copolymeric nanodiscs compared with intact membranes. Biophys J 2023; 122:2256-2266. [PMID: 36641625 PMCID: PMC10257115 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Discoidal lipid-protein nanoparticles known as nanodiscs are widely used tools in structural and membrane biology. Amphipathic, synthetic copolymers have recently become an attractive alternative to membrane scaffold proteins for the formation of nanodiscs. Such copolymers can directly intercalate into, and form nanodiscs from, intact membranes without detergents. Although these copolymer nanodiscs can extract native membrane lipids, it remains unclear whether native membrane properties are also retained. To determine the extent to which bilayer lipid packing is retained in nanodiscs, we measured the behavior of packing-sensitive fluorescent dyes in various nanodisc preparations compared with intact lipid bilayers. We analyzed styrene-maleic acid (SMA), diisobutylene-maleic acid (DIBMA), and polymethacrylate (PMA) as nanodisc scaffolds at various copolymer-to-lipid ratios and temperatures. Measurements of Laurdan spectral shifts revealed that dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) nanodiscs had increased lipid headgroup packing compared with large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) above the lipid melting temperature for all three copolymers. Similar effects were observed for DMPC nanodiscs stabilized by membrane scaffolding protein MSP1E1. Increased lipid headgroup packing was also observed when comparing nanodiscs with intact membranes composed of binary mixtures of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphocholine (POPC) and di-palmitoyl-phosphocholine (DPPC), which show fluid-gel-phase coexistence. Similarly, Laurdan reported increased headgroup packing in nanodiscs for biomimetic mixtures containing cholesterol, most notable for relatively disordered membranes. The magnitudes of these ordering effects were not identical for the various copolymers, with SMA being the most and DIBMA being the least perturbing. Finally, nanodiscs derived from mammalian cell membranes showed similarly increased lipid headgroup packing. We conclude that nanodiscs generally do not completely retain the physical properties of intact membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Real Hernandez
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Ilya Levental
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
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12
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Dodge GJ, Bernstein HM, Imperiali B. A generalizable protocol for expression and purification of membrane-bound bacterial phosphoglycosyl transferases in liponanoparticles. Protein Expr Purif 2023; 207:106273. [PMID: 37068720 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Phosphoglycosyl transferases (PGTs) are among the first membrane-bound enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of bacterial glycoconjugates. Robust expression and purification protocols for an abundant subfamily of PGTs remains lacking. Recent advancements in detergent-free methods for membrane protein solubilization open the door for purification of difficult membrane proteins directly from cell membranes into native-like liponanoparticles. By leveraging autoinduction, in vivo SUMO tag cleavage, styrene maleic acid co-polymer liponanoparticles (SMALPs), and Strep-Tag purification, we have established a robust workflow for expression and purification of previously unobtainable PGTs. The material generated from this workflow is extremely pure and can be directly visualized by Cryogenic Electron Microscopy (CryoEM). The methods presented here promise to be generalizable to additional membrane proteins recombinantly expressed in E. coli and should be of interest to the greater membrane proteomics community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg J Dodge
- Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Hannah M Bernstein
- Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Barbara Imperiali
- Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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13
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Bérczi A, Márton Z, Laskay K, Tóth A, Rákhely G, Duzs Á, Sebők-Nagy K, Páli T, Zimányi L. Spectral and Redox Properties of a Recombinant Mouse Cytochrome b561 Protein Suggest Transmembrane Electron Transfer Function. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052261. [PMID: 36903505 PMCID: PMC10005133 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome b561 proteins (CYB561s) are integral membrane proteins with six trans-membrane domains, two heme-b redox centers, one on each side of the host membrane. The major characteristics of these proteins are their ascorbate reducibility and trans-membrane electron transferring capability. More than one CYB561 can be found in a wide range of animal and plant phyla and they are localized in membranes different from the membranes participating in bioenergization. Two homologous proteins, both in humans and rodents, are thought to participate-via yet unidentified way-in cancer pathology. The recombinant forms of the human tumor suppressor 101F6 protein (Hs_CYB561D2) and its mouse ortholog (Mm_CYB561D2) have already been studied in some detail. However, nothing has yet been published about the physical-chemical properties of their homologues (Hs_CYB561D1 in humans and Mm_CYB561D1 in mice). In this paper we present optical, redox and structural properties of the recombinant Mm_CYB561D1, obtained based on various spectroscopic methods and homology modeling. The results are discussed in comparison to similar properties of the other members of the CYB561 protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alajos Bérczi
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Márton
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Laskay
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Tóth
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Rákhely
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Duzs
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Sebők-Nagy
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tibor Páli
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Zimányi
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence:
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14
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Krishnarjuna B, Ramamoorthy A. Detergent-Free Isolation of Membrane Proteins and Strategies to Study Them in a Near-Native Membrane Environment. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1076. [PMID: 36008970 PMCID: PMC9406181 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Atomic-resolution structural studies of membrane-associated proteins and peptides in a membrane environment are important to fully understand their biological function and the roles played by them in the pathology of many diseases. However, the complexity of the cell membrane has severely limited the application of commonly used biophysical and biochemical techniques. Recent advancements in NMR spectroscopy and cryoEM approaches and the development of novel membrane mimetics have overcome some of the major challenges in this area. For example, the development of a variety of lipid-nanodiscs has enabled stable reconstitution and structural and functional studies of membrane proteins. In particular, the ability of synthetic amphipathic polymers to isolate membrane proteins directly from the cell membrane, along with the associated membrane components such as lipids, without the use of a detergent, has opened new avenues to study the structure and function of membrane proteins using a variety of biophysical and biological approaches. This review article is focused on covering the various polymers and approaches developed and their applications for the functional reconstitution and structural investigation of membrane proteins. The unique advantages and limitations of the use of synthetic polymers are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bankala Krishnarjuna
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
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15
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The function of BK channels extracted and purified within SMALPs. Biochem J 2022; 479:1609-1619. [PMID: 35851603 PMCID: PMC9444072 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210628] [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: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human BK channels are large voltage and Ca2+-activated K+ channels, involved in several important functions within the body. The core channel is a tetramer of α subunits, and its function is modulated by the presence of β and γ accessory subunits. BK channels composed of α subunits, as well as BK channels composed of α and β1 subunits, were successfully solubilised from HEK cells with styrene maleic acid (SMA) polymer and purified by nickel affinity chromatography. Native SMA–PAGE analysis of the purified proteins showed the α subunits were extracted as a tetramer. In the presence of β1 subunits, they were co-extracted with the α subunits as a heteromeric complex. Purified SMA lipid particles (SMALPs) containing BK channel could be inserted into planar lipid bilayers (PLB) and single channel currents recorded, showing a high conductance (≈260 pS), as expected. The open probability was increased in the presence of co-purified β1 subunits. However, voltage-dependent gating of the channel was restricted. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that SMA can be used to effectively extract and purify large, complex, human ion channels, from low expressing sources. That these large channels can be incorporated into PLB from SMALPs and display voltage-dependent channel activity. However, the SMA appears to reduce the voltage dependent gating of the channels.
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16
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Zhu L, Zhao H, Wang Y, Yu C, Liu J, Li L, Li Z, Zhang J, Dai H, Wang J, Zhu L. Solubilization, purification, and ligand binding characterization of G protein-coupled receptor SMO in native membrane bilayer using styrene maleic acid copolymer. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13381. [PMID: 35529497 PMCID: PMC9074879 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Smoothened (SMO) protein is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family that is involved in the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. It is a putative target for treating various cancers, including medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Characterizing membrane proteins such as SMO in their native state is highly beneficial for the development of effective pharmaceutical drugs, as their structures and functions are retained to the highest extent in this state. Therefore, although SMO protein is conventionally solubilized in detergent micelles, incorporating the protein in a lipid-based membrane mimic is still required. In this study, we used styrene maleic acid (SMA) copolymer that directly extracted membrane protein and surrounding lipids as well as formed the so-called polymer nanodiscs, to solubilize and purify the SMO transmembrane domain encapsulated by SMA-nanodiscs. The obtained SMA-nanodiscs showed high homogeneity and maintained the physiological activity of SMO protein, thereby enabling the measurement of the dissociation constant (Kd) for SMO ligands SMO-ligands Shh Signaling Antagonist V (SANT-1) and Smoothened Agonist (SAG) using ligand-based solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This work paves the way for investigating the structure, function, and drug development of SMO proteins in a native-like lipid environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Zhu
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China,High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Hongxin Zhao
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Yizhuo Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chuandi Yu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Juanjuan Liu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Ling Li
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zehua Li
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Han Dai
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Junfeng Wang
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China,High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
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17
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Catania R, Machin J, Rappolt M, Muench SP, Beales PA, Jeuken LJC. Detergent-Free Functionalization of Hybrid Vesicles with Membrane Proteins Using SMALPs. Macromolecules 2022; 55:3415-3422. [PMID: 35571225 PMCID: PMC9097535 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Hybrid
vesicles (HVs) that consist of mixtures of block copolymers
and lipids are robust biomimetics of liposomes, providing a valuable
building block in bionanotechnology, catalysis, and synthetic biology.
However, functionalization of HVs with membrane proteins remains laborious
and expensive, creating a significant current challenge in the field.
Here, using a new approach of extraction with styrene-maleic acid
(SMA), we show that a membrane protein (cytochrome bo3) directly transfers into HVs with an efficiency of 73.9
± 13.5% without the requirement of detergent, long incubation
times, or mechanical disruption. Direct transfer of membrane proteins
using this approach was not possible into liposomes, suggesting that
HVs are more amenable than liposomes to membrane protein incorporation
from a SMA lipid particle system. Finally, we show that this transfer
method is not limited to cytochrome bo3 and can also be performed with complex membrane protein mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Catania
- Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Jonathan Machin
- Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Michael Rappolt
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Stephen P. Muench
- Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Paul A. Beales
- Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Lars J. C. Jeuken
- Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, University Leiden, Leiden 2300RA, The Netherlands
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18
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Laurence MJ, Carpenter TS, Laurence TA, Coleman MA, Shelby M, Liu C. Biophysical Characterization of Membrane Proteins Embedded in Nanodiscs Using Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12040392. [PMID: 35448362 PMCID: PMC9028781 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12040392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Proteins embedded in biological membranes perform essential functions in all organisms, serving as receptors, transporters, channels, cell adhesion molecules, and other supporting cellular roles. These membrane proteins comprise ~30% of all human proteins and are the targets of ~60% of FDA-approved drugs, yet their extensive characterization using established biochemical and biophysical methods has continued to be elusive due to challenges associated with the purification of these insoluble proteins. In response, the development of nanodisc techniques, such as nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs) and styrene maleic acid polymers (SMALPs), allowed membrane proteins to be expressed and isolated in solution as part of lipid bilayer rafts with defined, consistent nanometer sizes and compositions, thus enabling solution-based measurements. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a relatively simple yet powerful optical microscopy-based technique that yields quantitative biophysical information, such as diffusion kinetics and concentrations, about individual or interacting species in solution. Here, we first summarize current nanodisc techniques and FCS fundamentals. We then provide a focused review of studies that employed FCS in combination with nanodisc technology to investigate a handful of membrane proteins, including bacteriorhodopsin, bacterial division protein ZipA, bacterial membrane insertases SecYEG and YidC, Yersinia pestis type III secretion protein YopB, yeast cell wall stress sensor Wsc1, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ABC transporters, and several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Laurence
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA; (M.J.L.); (T.S.C.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Timothy S. Carpenter
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA; (M.J.L.); (T.S.C.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Ted A. Laurence
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA;
| | - Matthew A. Coleman
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA; (M.J.L.); (T.S.C.); (M.A.C.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA
| | - Megan Shelby
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA; (M.J.L.); (T.S.C.); (M.A.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Chao Liu
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA; (M.J.L.); (T.S.C.); (M.A.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (C.L.)
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19
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Morrison KA, Wood L, Edler KJ, Doutch J, Price GJ, Koumanov F, Whitley P. Membrane extraction with styrene-maleic acid copolymer results in insulin receptor autophosphorylation in the absence of ligand. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3532. [PMID: 35241773 PMCID: PMC8894449 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07606-5] [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: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Extraction of integral membrane proteins with poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) provides a promising alternative to detergent extraction. A major advantage of extraction using copolymers rather than detergent is the retention of the lipid bilayer around the proteins. Here we report the first functional investigation of the mammalian insulin receptor which was extracted from cell membranes using poly(styrene-co-maleic acid). We found that the copolymer efficiently extracted the insulin receptor from 3T3L1 fibroblast membranes. Surprisingly, activation of the insulin receptor and proximal downstream signalling was detected upon copolymer extraction even in the absence of insulin stimulation. Insulin receptor and IRS1 phosphorylations were above levels measured in the control extracts made with detergents. However, more distal signalling events in the insulin signalling cascade, such as the phosphorylation of Akt were not observed. Following copolymer extraction, in vitro addition of insulin had no further effect on insulin receptor or IRS1 phosphorylation. Therefore, under our experimental conditions, the insulin receptor is not functionally responsive to insulin. This study is the first to investigate receptor tyrosine kinases extracted from mammalian cells using a styrene-maleic acid copolymer and highlights the importance of thorough functional characterisation when using this method of protein extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrie A Morrison
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK.,Centre for Sustainable Circular Technologies, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Laura Wood
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK.,Department for Health, Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Karen J Edler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - James Doutch
- ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Gareth J Price
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK.,Department of Chemistry, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Francoise Koumanov
- Department for Health, Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
| | - Paul Whitley
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
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20
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Cao Y, Fang J, Shi Y, Wang H, Chen X, Liu Y, Zhu Z, Cao Y, Hong Z, Chai Y. Screening potential P-glycoprotein inhibitors by combination of a detergent-free membrane protein extraction with surface plasmon resonance biosensor. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:3113-3123. [PMID: 35865104 PMCID: PMC9293711 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
- Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control, Hangzhou 310057, China
| | - Jiahao Fang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yiwei Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiaofei Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yue Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yan Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 21 81871269 (Zhanying Hong), Tel/fax: +86 21 81871331 (Yan Cao).
| | - Zhanying Hong
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 21 81871269 (Zhanying Hong), Tel/fax: +86 21 81871331 (Yan Cao).
| | - Yifeng Chai
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Metabolites Research, Shanghai 200433, China
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21
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Danielczak B, Rasche M, Lenz J, Pérez Patallo E, Weyrauch S, Mahler F, Agbadaola MT, Meister A, Babalola JO, Vargas C, Kolar C, Keller S. A bioinspired glycopolymer for capturing membrane proteins in native-like lipid-bilayer nanodiscs. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:1855-1867. [PMID: 35040850 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03811g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Amphiphilic copolymers that directly extract membrane proteins and lipids from cellular membranes to form nanodiscs combine the advantages of harsher membrane mimics with those of a native-like membrane environment. Among the few commercial polymers that are capable of forming nanodiscs, alternating diisobutylene/maleic acid (DIBMA) copolymers have gained considerable popularity as gentle and UV-transparent alternatives to aromatic polymers. However, their moderate hydrophobicities and high electric charge densities render all existing aliphatic copolymers rather inefficient under near-physiological conditions. Here, we introduce Glyco-DIBMA, a bioinspired glycopolymer that possesses increased hydrophobicity and reduced charge density but nevertheless retains excellent solubility in aqueous solutions. Glyco-DIBMA outperforms established aliphatic copolymers in that it solubilizes lipid vesicles of various compositions much more efficiently, thereby furnishing smaller, more narrowly distributed nanodiscs that preserve a bilayer architecture and exhibit rapid lipid exchange. We demonstrate the superior performance of Glyco-DIBMA in preparative and analytical applications by extracting a broad range of integral membrane proteins from cellular membranes and further by purifying a membrane-embedded voltage-gated K+ channel, which was fluorescently labeled and analyzed with the aid of microfluidic diffusional sizing (MDS) directly within native-like lipid-bilayer nanodiscs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartholomäus Danielczak
- Molecular Biophysics, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (TUK), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Marie Rasche
- Glycon Biochemicals GmbH, Im Biotechnologiepark TGZ 1, 14943 Luckenwalde, Germany
| | - Julia Lenz
- Molecular Biophysics, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (TUK), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Eugenio Pérez Patallo
- Molecular Biophysics, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (TUK), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Sophie Weyrauch
- Molecular Biophysics, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (TUK), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Florian Mahler
- Molecular Biophysics, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (TUK), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Michael Tope Agbadaola
- Molecular Biophysics, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (TUK), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, 200284, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Annette Meister
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, and ZIK HALOmem, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3a, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Carolyn Vargas
- Molecular Biophysics, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (TUK), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Humboldtstr. 50/III, 8010 Graz, Austria.
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Cenek Kolar
- Glycon Biochemicals GmbH, Im Biotechnologiepark TGZ 1, 14943 Luckenwalde, Germany
| | - Sandro Keller
- Molecular Biophysics, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (TUK), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Humboldtstr. 50/III, 8010 Graz, Austria.
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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22
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Conformational trapping of an ABC transporter in polymer lipid nanoparticles. Biochem J 2022; 479:145-159. [PMID: 35050326 PMCID: PMC8883494 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins play important roles in cells as importers and exporters but as membrane proteins they are subject to well-known challenges of isolating pure and stable samples for study. One solution to this problem is to use styrene-maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs). Styrene-maleic acid (SMA) can be added directly to membranes, forming stable nanoparticles incorporating membrane proteins and lipids. Here we use Sav1866, a well-characterised bacterial protein, as a proxy for ABC proteins in general. We show that stable and monodispersed Sav1866 can be purified at high yield using SMA. This protein can be used for biophysical characterisations showing that its overall structure is consistent with existing evidence. However, like other ABC proteins in SMALPs it does not hydrolyse ATP. The lack of ATPase activity in ABC–SMALPs may result from conformational trapping of the proteins in SMALPs. Undertaken in a controlled manner, conformational trapping is a useful tool to stabilise protein samples into a single conformation for structural studies. Due to their inability to hydrolyse ATP, the conformation of Sav1866–SMALPs cannot be altered using ATP and vanadate after purification. To achieve controlled trapping of Sav1866–SMALPs we show that Sav1866 in crude membranes can be incubated with ATP, magnesium and sodium orthovanadate. Subsequent solubilisation and purification with SMA produces a sample of Sav1866–SMALPs with enhanced stability, and in a single conformational state. This method may be generally applicable to vanadate-sensitive ABC proteins and overcomes a limitation of the SMALP system for the study of this protein family.
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23
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Orekhov PS, Bozdaganyan ME, Voskoboynikova N, Mulkidjanian AY, Karlova MG, Yudenko A, Remeeva A, Ryzhykau YL, Gushchin I, Gordeliy VI, Sokolova OS, Steinhoff HJ, Kirpichnikov MP, Shaitan KV. Mechanisms of Formation, Structure, and Dynamics of Lipoprotein Discs Stabilized by Amphiphilic Copolymers: A Comprehensive Review. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12030361. [PMID: 35159706 PMCID: PMC8838559 DOI: 10.3390/nano12030361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Amphiphilic copolymers consisting of alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic units account for a major recent methodical breakthrough in the investigations of membrane proteins. Styrene–maleic acid (SMA), diisobutylene–maleic acid (DIBMA), and related copolymers have been shown to extract membrane proteins directly from lipid membranes without the need for classical detergents. Within the particular experimental setup, they form disc-shaped nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution, which serve as a suitable platform for diverse kinds of spectroscopy and other biophysical techniques that require relatively small, homogeneous, water-soluble particles of separate membrane proteins in their native lipid environment. In recent years, copolymer-encased nanolipoparticles have been proven as suitable protein carriers for various structural biology applications, including cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), small-angle scattering, and conventional and single-molecule X-ray diffraction experiments. Here, we review the current understanding of how such nanolipoparticles are formed and organized at the molecular level with an emphasis on their chemical diversity and factors affecting their size and solubilization efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp S. Orekhov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.E.B.); (M.G.K.); (O.S.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Faculty of Biology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Institute of Personalized Medicine, Sechenov University, 119146 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (P.S.O.); (K.V.S.)
| | - Marine E. Bozdaganyan
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.E.B.); (M.G.K.); (O.S.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Faculty of Biology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 518172, China
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Voskoboynikova
- Department of Physics, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 7, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany; (N.V.); (A.Y.M.); (H.-J.S.)
| | - Armen Y. Mulkidjanian
- Department of Physics, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 7, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany; (N.V.); (A.Y.M.); (H.-J.S.)
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics and Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria G. Karlova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.E.B.); (M.G.K.); (O.S.S.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Anna Yudenko
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (A.Y.); (A.R.); (Y.L.R.); (I.G.); (V.I.G.)
| | - Alina Remeeva
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (A.Y.); (A.R.); (Y.L.R.); (I.G.); (V.I.G.)
| | - Yury L. Ryzhykau
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (A.Y.); (A.R.); (Y.L.R.); (I.G.); (V.I.G.)
| | - Ivan Gushchin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (A.Y.); (A.R.); (Y.L.R.); (I.G.); (V.I.G.)
| | - Valentin I. Gordeliy
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (A.Y.); (A.R.); (Y.L.R.); (I.G.); (V.I.G.)
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Institut de Biologie Structurale J.-P. Ebel, Université Grenoble Alpes-CEA-CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France
- JuStruct: Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Olga S. Sokolova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.E.B.); (M.G.K.); (O.S.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Faculty of Biology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Heinz-Jürgen Steinhoff
- Department of Physics, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 7, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany; (N.V.); (A.Y.M.); (H.-J.S.)
| | - Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.E.B.); (M.G.K.); (O.S.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin V. Shaitan
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.E.B.); (M.G.K.); (O.S.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Correspondence: (P.S.O.); (K.V.S.)
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24
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Broadbent L, Depping P, Lodé A, Vaitsopoulou A, Hardy D, Ayub H, Mitchell-White J, Kerr ID, Goddard AD, Bill RM, Rothnie AJ. Detergent-Free Membrane Protein Purification Using SMA Polymer. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2507:389-404. [PMID: 35773594 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2368-8_21] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
One of the big challenges for the study of structure and function of membrane proteins is the need to extract them from the membrane. Traditionally this was achieved using detergents which disrupt the membrane and form a micelle around the protein, but this can cause issues with protein function and/or stability. In 2009 an alternative approach was reported, using styrene maleic acid (SMA) copolymer to extract small discs of lipid bilayer encapsulated by the polymer and termed SMALPs (SMA lipid particles). Since then this approach has been shown to work for a range of different proteins from many different expression systems. It allows the extraction and purification of a target protein while maintaining a lipid bilayer environment. Recently this has led to several new high-resolution structures and novel insights to function. As with any method there are some limitations and issues to be aware of. Here we describe a standard protocol for preparation of the polymer and its use for membrane protein purification, and also include details of typical challenges that may be encountered and possible ways to address those.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Broadbent
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peer Depping
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alexis Lodé
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - David Hardy
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Hoor Ayub
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - James Mitchell-White
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ian D Kerr
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Alan D Goddard
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Roslyn M Bill
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alice J Rothnie
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
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25
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Harwood CR, Sykes DA, Hoare BL, Heydenreich FM, Uddin R, Poyner DR, Briddon SJ, Veprintsev DB. Functional solubilization of the β 2-adrenoceptor using diisobutylene maleic acid. iScience 2021; 24:103362. [PMID: 34825145 PMCID: PMC8605084 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR) is a well-established target in asthma and a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor for biophysical studies. Solubilization of membrane proteins has classically involved the use of detergents. However, the detergent environment differs from the native membrane environment and often destabilizes membrane proteins. Use of amphiphilic copolymers is a promising strategy to solubilize membrane proteins within their native lipid environment in the complete absence of detergents. Here we show the isolation of the β2AR in the polymer diisobutylene maleic acid (DIBMA). We demonstrate that β2AR remains functional in the DIBMA lipid particle and shows improved thermal stability compared with the n-dodecyl-β-D-maltopyranoside detergent-solubilized β2AR. This unique method of extracting β2AR offers significant advantages over previous methods routinely employed such as the introduction of thermostabilizing mutations and the use of detergents, particularly for functional biophysical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare R Harwood
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands NG7 2UH, UK.,Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - David A Sykes
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands NG7 2UH, UK.,Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Bradley L Hoare
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands NG7 2UH, UK.,Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Franziska M Heydenreich
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, PSI, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland.,Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Romez Uddin
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands NG7 2UH, UK.,School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B47ET, UK
| | - David R Poyner
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands NG7 2UH, UK.,School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B47ET, UK
| | - Stephen J Briddon
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands NG7 2UH, UK.,Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - D B Veprintsev
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands NG7 2UH, UK.,Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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26
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Hawkins OP, Jahromi CPT, Gulamhussein AA, Nestorow S, Bahra T, Shelton C, Owusu-Mensah QK, Mohiddin N, O'Rourke H, Ajmal M, Byrnes K, Khan M, Nahar NN, Lim A, Harris C, Healy H, Hasan SW, Ahmed A, Evans L, Vaitsopoulou A, Akram A, Williams C, Binding J, Thandi RK, Joby A, Guest A, Tariq MZ, Rasool F, Cavanagh L, Kang S, Asparuhov B, Jestin A, Dafforn TR, Simms J, Bill RM, Goddard AD, Rothnie AJ. Membrane protein extraction and purification using partially-esterified SMA polymers. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183758. [PMID: 34480878 PMCID: PMC8484863 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Styrene maleic acid (SMA) polymers have proven to be very successful for the extraction of membrane proteins, forming SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), which maintain a lipid bilayer around the membrane protein. SMALP-encapsulated membrane proteins can be used for functional and structural studies. The SMALP approach allows retention of important protein-annular lipid interactions, exerts lateral pressure, and offers greater stability than traditional detergent solubilisation. However, SMA polymer does have some limitations, including a sensitivity to divalent cations and low pH, an absorbance spectrum that overlaps with many proteins, and possible restrictions on protein conformational change. Various modified polymers have been developed to try to overcome these challenges, but no clear solution has been found. A series of partially-esterified variants of SMA (SMA 2625, SMA 1440 and SMA 17352) has previously been shown to be highly effective for solubilisation of plant and cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes. It was hypothesised that the partial esterification of maleic acid groups would increase tolerance to divalent cations. Therefore, these partially-esterified polymers were tested for the solubilisation of lipids and membrane proteins, and their tolerance to magnesium ions. It was found that all partially esterified polymers were capable of solubilising and purifying a range of membrane proteins, but the yield of protein was lower with SMA 1440, and the degree of purity was lower for both SMA 1440 and SMA 17352. SMA 2625 performed comparably to SMA 2000. SMA 1440 also showed an increased sensitivity to divalent cations. Thus, it appears the interactions between SMA and divalent cations are more complex than proposed and require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia P Hawkins
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | | | - Aiman A Gulamhussein
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Stephanie Nestorow
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Taranpreet Bahra
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Christian Shelton
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Quincy K Owusu-Mensah
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Naadiya Mohiddin
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Hannah O'Rourke
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Mariam Ajmal
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Kara Byrnes
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Madiha Khan
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Nila N Nahar
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Arcella Lim
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Cassandra Harris
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Hannah Healy
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Syeda W Hasan
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Asma Ahmed
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Lora Evans
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Afroditi Vaitsopoulou
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Aneel Akram
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Chris Williams
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Johanna Binding
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Rumandeep K Thandi
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Aswathy Joby
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Ashley Guest
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Mohammad Z Tariq
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Farah Rasool
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Luke Cavanagh
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Simran Kang
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Biser Asparuhov
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Aleksandr Jestin
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Timothy R Dafforn
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - John Simms
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Roslyn M Bill
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Alan D Goddard
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Alice J Rothnie
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
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27
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Morrison KA, Heesom KJ, Edler KJ, Doutch J, Price GJ, Koumanov F, Whitley P. Development of Methodology to Investigate the Surface SMALPome of Mammalian Cells. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:780033. [PMID: 34869600 PMCID: PMC8637157 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.780033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extraction of membrane proteins from biological membranes has traditionally involved detergents. In the past decade, a new technique has been developed, which uses styrene maleic acid (SMA) copolymers to extract membrane proteins into nanodiscs without the requirement of detergents. SMA nanodiscs are compatible with analytical techniques, such as small-angle scattering, NMR spectroscopy, and DLS, and are therefore an attractive medium for membrane protein characterization. While mass spectrometry has also been reported as a technique compatible with copolymer extraction, most studies have focused on lipidomics, which involves solvent extraction of lipids from nanodiscs prior to mass-spectrometry analysis. In this study, mass spectrometry proteomics was used to investigate whether there are qualitative or quantitative differences in the mammalian plasma membrane proteins extracted with SMA compared to a detergent control. For this, cell surface proteins of 3T3L1 fibroblasts were biotinylated and extracted using either SMA or detergent. Following affinity pull-down of biotinylated proteins with NeutrAvidin beads, samples were analyzed by nanoLC-MS. Here, we report for the first time, a global proteomics protocol for detection of a mammalian cell "SMALPome", membrane proteins incorporated into SMA nanodiscs. Removal of SMA from samples prior to processing of samples for mass spectrometry was a crucial step in the protocol. The reported surface SMALPome of 3T3L1 fibroblasts consists of 205 integral membrane proteins. It is apparent that the detergent extraction method used is, in general, quantitatively more efficient at extracting proteins from the plasma membrane than SMA extraction. However, samples prepared following detergent extraction contained a greater proportion of proteins that were considered to be "non-specific" than in samples prepared from SMA extracts. Tantalizingly, it was also observed that proteins detected uniquely or highly preferentially in pull-downs from SMA extracts were primarily multi-spanning membrane proteins. These observations hint at qualitative differences between SMA and detergent extraction that are worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrie A. Morrison
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Centre for Sustainable Circular Technologies, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Kate J. Heesom
- University of Bristol, Proteomics Facility, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Karen J. Edler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - James Doutch
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, Harwell Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth J. Price
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Paul Whitley
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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28
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Biophysical characterisation of SMALPs. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2037-2050. [PMID: 34643233 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins such as receptors, ion channels and transport proteins are important drug targets. The structure-based study of membrane proteins is challenging, especially when the target protein contains both soluble and insoluble domains. Most membrane proteins are insoluble in aqueous solvent and embedded in the plasma membrane lipid bilayer, which significantly complicates biophysical studies. Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) and other polymer derivatives are increasingly common solubilisation agents, used to isolate membrane proteins stabilised in their native lipid environment in the total absence of detergent. Since the initial report of SMA-mediated solubilisation, and the formation of SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), this technique can directly isolate therapeutic targets from biological membranes, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). SMA now allows biophysical and structural analyses of membrane proteins in solution that was not previously possible. Here, we critically review several existing biophysical techniques compatible with SMALPs, with a focus on hydrodynamic analysis, microcalorimetric analysis and optical spectroscopic techniques.
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29
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Abstract
Membrane proteins (MPs) play essential roles in numerous cellular processes. Because around 70% of the currently marketed drugs target MPs, a detailed understanding of their structure, binding properties, and functional dynamics in a physiologically relevant environment is crucial for a more detailed understanding of this important protein class. We here summarize the benefits of using lipid nanodiscs for NMR structural investigations and provide a detailed overview of the currently used lipid nanodisc systems as well as their applications in solution-state NMR. Despite the increasing use of other structural methods for the structure determination of MPs in lipid nanodiscs, solution NMR turns out to be a versatile tool to probe a wide range of MP features, ranging from the structure determination of small to medium-sized MPs to probing ligand and partner protein binding as well as functionally relevant dynamical signatures in a lipid nanodisc setting. We will expand on these topics by discussing recent NMR studies with lipid nanodiscs and work out a key workflow for optimizing the nanodisc incorporation of an MP for subsequent NMR investigations. With this, we hope to provide a comprehensive background to enable an informed assessment of the applicability of lipid nanodiscs for NMR studies of a particular MP of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umut Günsel
- Bavarian NMR Center (BNMRZ) at the Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Strasse 2, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Franz Hagn
- Bavarian NMR Center (BNMRZ) at the Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Strasse 2, 85748 Garching, Germany.,Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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30
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Kacher YG, Karlova MG, Glukhov GS, Zhang H, Zaklyazminskaya EV, Loussouarn G, Sokolova OS. The Integrative Approach to Study of the Structure and Functions of Cardiac Voltage-Dependent Ion Channels. CRYSTALLOGR REP+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1063774521050072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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31
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Farrelly MD, Martin LL, Thang SH. Polymer Nanodiscs and Their Bioanalytical Potential. Chemistry 2021; 27:12922-12939. [PMID: 34180107 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202101572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins (MPs) play a pivotal role in cellular function and are therefore predominant pharmaceutical targets. Although detailed understanding of MP structure and mechanistic activity is invaluable for rational drug design, challenges are associated with the purification and study of MPs. This review delves into the historical developments that became the prelude to currently available membrane mimetic technologies before shining a spotlight on polymer nanodiscs. These are soluble nanosized particles capable of encompassing MPs embedded in a phospholipid ring. The expanding range of reported amphipathic polymer nanodisc materials is presented and discussed in terms of their tolerance to different solution conditions and their nanodisc properties. Finally, the analytical scope of polymer nanodiscs is considered in both the demonstration of basic nanodisc parameters as well as in the elucidation of structures, lipid-protein interactions, and the functional mechanisms of reconstituted membrane proteins. The final emphasis is given to the unique benefits and applications demonstrated for native nanodiscs accessed through a detergent free process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisandra L Martin
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Vic, Australia
| | - San H Thang
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Vic, Australia
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Methods for the solubilisation of membrane proteins: the micelle-aneous world of membrane protein solubilisation. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1763-1777. [PMID: 34415288 PMCID: PMC8421053 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The solubilisation of membrane proteins (MPs) necessitates the overlap of two contradictory events; the extraction of MPs from their native lipid membranes and their subsequent stabilisation in aqueous environments. Whilst the current myriad of membrane mimetic systems provide a range of modus operandi, there are no golden rules for selecting the optimal pipeline for solubilisation of a specific MP hence a miscellaneous approach must be employed balancing both solubilisation efficiency and protein stability. In recent years, numerous diverse lipid membrane mimetic systems have been developed, expanding the pool of available solubilisation strategies. This review provides an overview of recent developments in the membrane mimetic field, with particular emphasis placed upon detergents, polymer-based nanodiscs and amphipols, highlighting the latest reagents to enter the toolbox of MP research.
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Grime RL, Logan RT, Nestorow SA, Sridhar P, Edwards PC, Tate CG, Klumperman B, Dafforn TR, Poyner DR, Reeves PJ, Wheatley M. Differences in SMA-like polymer architecture dictate the conformational changes exhibited by the membrane protein rhodopsin encapsulated in lipid nano-particles. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:13519-13528. [PMID: 34477756 PMCID: PMC8359648 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02419a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins are of fundamental importance to cellular processes and nano-encapsulation strategies that preserve their native lipid bilayer environment are particularly attractive for studying and exploiting these proteins. Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) and related polymers poly(styrene-co-(N-(3-N',N'-dimethylaminopropyl)maleimide)) (SMI) and poly(diisobutylene-alt-maleic acid) (DIBMA) have revolutionised the study of membrane proteins by spontaneously solubilising membrane proteins direct from cell membranes within nanoscale discs of native bilayer called SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), SMILPs and DIBMALPs respectively. This systematic study shows for the first time, that conformational changes of the encapsulated protein are dictated by the solubilising polymer. The photoactivation pathway of rhodopsin (Rho), a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), comprises structurally-defined intermediates with characteristic absorbance spectra that revealed conformational restrictions with styrene-containing SMA and SMI, so that photoactivation proceeded only as far as metarhodopsin-I, absorbing at 478 nm, in a SMALP or SMILP. In contrast, full attainment of metarhodopsin-II, absorbing at 382 nm, was observed in a DIBMALP. Consequently, different intermediate states of Rho could be generated readily by simply employing different SMA-like polymers. Dynamic light-scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation revealed differences in size and thermostability between SMALP, SMILP and DIBMALP. Moreover, encapsulated Rho exhibited different stability in a SMALP, SMILP or DIBMALP. Overall, we establish that SMA, SMI and DIBMA constitute a 'toolkit' of solubilising polymers, so that selection of the appropriate solubilising polymer provides a spectrum of useful attributes for studying membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael L Grime
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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Sander CL, Sears AE, Pinto AF, Choi EH, Kahremany S, Gao F, Salom D, Jin H, Pardon E, Suh S, Dong Z, Steyaert J, Saghatelian A, Skowronska-Krawczyk D, Kiser PD, Palczewski K. Nano-scale resolution of native retinal rod disk membranes reveals differences in lipid composition. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:e202101063. [PMID: 34132745 PMCID: PMC8240855 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202101063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors rely on distinct membrane compartments to support their specialized function. Unlike protein localization, identification of critical differences in membrane content has not yet been expanded to lipids, due to the difficulty of isolating domain-specific samples. We have overcome this by using SMA to coimmunopurify membrane proteins and their native lipids from two regions of photoreceptor ROS disks. Each sample's copurified lipids were subjected to untargeted lipidomic and fatty acid analysis. Extensive differences between center (rhodopsin) and rim (ABCA4 and PRPH2/ROM1) samples included a lower PC to PE ratio and increased LC- and VLC-PUFAs in the center relative to the rim region, which was enriched in shorter, saturated FAs. The comparatively few differences between the two rim samples likely reflect specific protein-lipid interactions. High-resolution profiling of the ROS disk lipid composition gives new insights into how intricate membrane structure and protein activity are balanced within the ROS, and provides a model for future studies of other complex cellular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L. Sander
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - Avery E. Sears
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - Antonio F.M. Pinto
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
| | - Elliot H. Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - Shirin Kahremany
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - Fangyuan Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - David Salom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - Hui Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Els Pardon
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie–Vrije Universiteit Brussel Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Susie Suh
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - Zhiqian Dong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - Jan Steyaert
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie–Vrije Universiteit Brussel Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alan Saghatelian
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
| | - Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - Philip D. Kiser
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
- Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
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35
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Karki R, Rimal S, Rieth MD. Predicted N-terminal N-linked glycosylation sites may underlie membrane protein expression patterns in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast 2021; 38:497-506. [PMID: 34182612 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
N-linked glycosylation is one type of posttranslational modification that proteins undergo during expression. The following describes the effects of N-linked glycosylation on high-level membrane protein expression in yeast with an emphasis on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. N-linked glycosylation is highlighted here as an important consideration when preparing membrane protein gene constructs for expression in S. cerevisiae, which continues to be used as a workhorse in both research and industrial applications. Non-native N-linked glycosylation commonly occurs during the heterologous expression of mammalian proteins in many yeast species which can have important immunological consequences when used in the production of biotherapeutic proteins or peptides. Further, non-native N-linked glycosylation can lead to improper protein folding and premature degradation, which can impede high-level expression yields and hinder downstream analysis. Multiple strategies are presented in this article, which suggest different methods that can be implemented to circumvent the unwanted consequences of N-linked glycosylation during the expression process. These considerations may have long-term benefits for high-level protein production in S. cerevisiae across a broad spectrum of expression targets with special emphasis placed on G-protein coupled receptors, one of the largest families of membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Karki
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Swechha Rimal
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois, USA
| | - Monica D Rieth
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois, USA
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Overduin M, Trieber C, Prosser RS, Picard LP, Sheff JG. Structures and Dynamics of Native-State Transmembrane Protein Targets and Bound Lipids. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:451. [PMID: 34204456 PMCID: PMC8235241 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11060451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins work within asymmetric bilayers of lipid molecules that are critical for their biological structures, dynamics and interactions. These properties are lost when detergents dislodge lipids, ligands and subunits, but are maintained in native nanodiscs formed using styrene maleic acid (SMA) and diisobutylene maleic acid (DIBMA) copolymers. These amphipathic polymers allow extraction of multicomponent complexes of post-translationally modified membrane-bound proteins directly from organ homogenates or membranes from diverse types of cells and organelles. Here, we review the structures and mechanisms of transmembrane targets and their interactions with lipids including phosphoinositides (PIs), as resolved using nanodisc systems and methods including cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). We focus on therapeutic targets including several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), as well as ion channels and transporters that are driving the development of next-generation native nanodiscs. The design of new synthetic polymers and complementary biophysical tools bodes well for the future of drug discovery and structural biology of native membrane:protein assemblies (memteins).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Overduin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada;
| | - Catharine Trieber
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada;
| | - R. Scott Prosser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, UTM, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (R.S.P.); (L.-P.P.)
| | - Louis-Philippe Picard
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, UTM, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (R.S.P.); (L.-P.P.)
| | - Joey G. Sheff
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada;
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37
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Biological insights from SMA-extracted proteins. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1349-1359. [PMID: 34110372 PMCID: PMC8286838 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the twelve years since styrene maleic acid (SMA) was first used to extract and purify a membrane protein within a native lipid bilayer, this technological breakthrough has provided insight into the structural and functional details of protein–lipid interactions. Most recently, advances in cryo-EM have demonstrated that SMA-extracted membrane proteins are a rich-source of structural data. For example, it has been possible to resolve the details of annular lipids and protein–protein interactions within complexes, the nature of lipids within central cavities and binding pockets, regions involved in stabilising multimers, details of terminal residues that would otherwise remain unresolved and the identification of physiologically relevant states. Functionally, SMA extraction has allowed the analysis of membrane proteins that are unstable in detergents, the characterization of an ultrafast component in the kinetics of electron transfer that was not possible in detergent-solubilised samples and quantitative, real-time measurement of binding assays with low concentrations of purified protein. While the use of SMA comes with limitations such as its sensitivity to low pH and divalent cations, its major advantage is maintenance of a protein's lipid bilayer. This has enabled researchers to view and assay proteins in an environment close to their native ones, leading to new structural and mechanistic insights.
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38
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Tedesco D, Maj M, Malarczyk P, Cingolani A, Zaffagnini M, Wnorowski A, Czapiński J, Benelli T, Mazzoni R, Bartolini M, Jóźwiak K. Application of the SMALP technology to the isolation of GPCRs from low-yielding cell lines. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183641. [PMID: 33984320 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The ability of styrene-maleic acid (SMAc) co-polymers to spontaneously insert into biological membranes can be exploited to extract G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) embedded in styrene-maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs), preserving the native environment around the protein and thus enhancing the feasibility of functional studies. So far, the SMALP technology has been primarily employed on non-mammalian cells and protocols are not optimized for adherent human cell lines, which cannot be harvested in large amounts. In this work, a fine investigation of key parameters affecting the formation of SMALPs was undertaken with the purpose of maximizing the yield of extraction of a recombinant form of human β2-adrenergic receptor (rhβ2AR) from HEK293T cells. The study highlighted an important influence of ionic strength on the membrane solubilization efficiency and GPCR purification yield of SMAc co-polymers: by lowering the salt concentration of all buffers used in previously published SMALP protocols, the water solubility and extraction efficiency of the selected SMAc co-polymer (commercially supplied as a potassium salt) were enhanced. In-line combination of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) allowed further improvement of the final rhβ2AR yield by reducing the loss of SMALP-embedded GPCRs during the fractionation and purification of SMALPs. The overall findings of this study show that the available SMALP protocols can be significantly optimized in several aspects in order to increase the efficiency of GPCR solubilization and isolation from low-yielding expression systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Tedesco
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy; Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity, National Research Center (ISOF-CNR), via P. Gobetti 101, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maciej Maj
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, ulica W. Chodźki 4a, Lublin, Poland
| | - Paulina Malarczyk
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, ulica W. Chodźki 4a, Lublin, Poland
| | - Andrea Cingolani
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Bologna, viale del Risorgimento 4, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mirko Zaffagnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 42, Bologna, Italy
| | - Artur Wnorowski
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, ulica W. Chodźki 4a, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Czapiński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ulica W. Chodźki 1, Lublin, Poland; Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, ulica Żwirki i Wigury 61, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tiziana Benelli
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Bologna, viale del Risorgimento 4, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Mazzoni
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Bologna, viale del Risorgimento 4, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Bartolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Krzysztof Jóźwiak
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, ulica W. Chodźki 4a, Lublin, Poland.
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Brown CJ, Trieber C, Overduin M. Structural biology of endogenous membrane protein assemblies in native nanodiscs. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 69:70-77. [PMID: 33915422 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The advent of amphiphilic copolymers enables integral membrane proteins to be solubilized into stable 10-30 nm native nanodiscs to resolve their multisubunit structures, post-translational modifications, endogenous lipid bilayers, and small molecule ligands. This breakthrough has positioned biological membrane:protein assemblies (memteins) as fundamental functional units of cellular membranes. Herein, we review copolymer design strategies and methods for the characterization of transmembrane proteins within native nanodiscs by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), transmission electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, surface plasmon resonance, and mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanelle J Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
| | - Catharine Trieber
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Michael Overduin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H7, Canada.
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40
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Dilworth MV, Findlay HE, Booth PJ. Detergent-free purification and reconstitution of functional human serotonin transporter (SERT) using diisobutylene maleic acid (DIBMA) copolymer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183602. [PMID: 33744253 PMCID: PMC8111416 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Structure and function analysis of human membrane proteins in lipid bilayer environments is acutely lacking despite the fundame1ntal cellular importance of these proteins and their dominance of drug targets. An underlying reason is that detailed study usually requires a potentially destabilising detergent purification of the proteins from their host membranes prior to subsequent reconstitution in a membrane mimic; a situation that is exacerbated for human membrane proteins due to the inherent difficulties in overexpressing suitable quantities of the proteins. We advance the promising styrene maleic acid polymer (SMA) extraction approach to introduce a detergent-free method of obtaining stable, functional human membrane transporters in bilayer nanodiscs directly from yeast cells. We purify the human serotonin transporter (hSERT) following overexpression in Pichia pastoris using diisobutylene maleic acid (DIBMA) as a superior method to traditional detergents or the more established styrene maleic acid polymer. hSERT plays a pivotal role in neurotransmitter regulation being responsible for the transport of the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT or serotonin). It is representative of the neurotransmitter sodium symporter (NSS) family, whose importance is underscored by the numerous diseases attributed to their malfunction. We gain insight into hSERT activity through an in vitro transport assay and find that DIBMA extraction improves the thermostability and activity of hSERT over the conventional detergent method. The non-aromatic amphipathic polymer DIBMA can be successfully employed to purify human membrane proteins. DIBMA solubilisation of hSERT from yeast membranes and resultant nanodisc thermostability is comparable to SMA. DIBMA and SMA encapsulated hSERT lipid-nanodiscs exhibit higher binding activity than hSERT DDMCHS micelles. Proteoliposomes reconstituted with hSERT-DIBMALPs possess higher transport activity than comparable DDMCHS reconstitutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin V Dilworth
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom.
| | - Heather E Findlay
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom.
| | - Paula J Booth
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom.
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A Three-Dimensional Model of the Yeast Transmembrane Sensor Wsc1 Obtained by SMA-Based Detergent-Free Purification and Transmission Electron Microscopy. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020118. [PMID: 33562593 PMCID: PMC7915640 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall sensor Wsc1 belongs to a small family of transmembrane proteins, which are crucial to sustain cell integrity in yeast and other fungi. Wsc1 acts as a mechanosensor of the cell wall integrity (CWI) signal transduction pathway which responds to external stresses. Here we report on the purification of Wsc1 by its trapping in water-soluble polymer-stabilized lipid nanoparticles, obtained with an amphipathic styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymer. The latter was employed to transfer tagged sensors from their native yeast membranes into SMA/lipid particles (SMALPs), which allows their purification in a functional state, i.e., avoiding denaturation. The SMALPs composition was characterized by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, followed by two-dimensional image acquisition from single particle transmission electron microscopy to build a three-dimensional model of the sensor. The latter confirms that Wsc1 consists of a large extracellular domain connected to a smaller intracellular part by a single transmembrane domain, which is embedded within the hydrophobic moiety of the lipid bilayer. The successful extraction of a sensor from the yeast plasma membrane by a detergent-free procedure into a native-like membrane environment provides new prospects for in vitro structural and functional studies of yeast plasma proteins which are likely to be applicable to other fungi, including plant and human pathogens.
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42
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Wang X, van Westen GJP, Heitman LH, IJzerman AP. G protein-coupled receptors expressed and studied in yeast. The adenosine receptor as a prime example. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 187:114370. [PMID: 33338473 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of membrane proteins with around 800 members in the human genome/proteome. Extracellular signals such as hormones and neurotransmitters regulate various biological processes via GPCRs, with GPCRs being the bodily target of 30-40% of current drugs on the market. Complete identification and understanding of GPCR functionality will provide opportunities for novel drug discovery. Yeast expresses three different endogenous GPCRs regulating pheromone and sugar sensing, with the pheromone pathway offering perspectives for the characterization of heterologous GPCR signaling. Moreover, yeast offers a ''null" background for studies on mammalian GPCRs, including GPCR activation and signaling, ligand identification, and characterization of disease-related mutations. This review focuses on modifications of the yeast pheromone signaling pathway for functional GPCR studies, and on opportunities and usage of the yeast system as a platform for human GPCR studies. Finally, this review discusses in some further detail studies of adenosine receptors heterologously expressed in yeast, and what Geoff Burnstock thought of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Wang
- Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard J P van Westen
- Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Laura H Heitman
- Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan P IJzerman
- Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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43
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The Potential of 19F NMR Application in GPCR Biased Drug Discovery. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2020; 42:19-30. [PMID: 33250272 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Although structure-based virtual drug discovery is revolutionizing the conventional high-throughput cell-based screening system, its limitation is obvious, together with other critical challenges. In particular, the resolved static snapshots fail to represent a full free-energy landscape due to homogenization in structural determination processing. The loss of conformational heterogeneity and related functional diversity emphasize the necessity of developing an approach that can fill this space. In this regard, NMR holds undeniable potential. However, outstanding questions regarding the NMR application remain. This review summarizes the limitations of current drug discovery and explores the potential of 19F NMR in establishing a conformation-guided drug screening system, advancing the cell- and structure-based discovery strategy for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) biased drug screening.
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Lavington S, Watts A. Lipid nanoparticle technologies for the study of G protein-coupled receptors in lipid environments. Biophys Rev 2020; 12:10.1007/s12551-020-00775-5. [PMID: 33215301 PMCID: PMC7755959 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-020-00775-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large family of integral membrane proteins which conduct a wide range of biological roles and represent significant drug targets. Most biophysical and structural studies of GPCRs have been conducted on detergent-solubilised receptors, and it is clear that detergents can have detrimental effects on GPCR function. Simultaneously, there is increasing appreciation of roles for specific lipids in modulation of GPCR function. Lipid nanoparticles such as nanodiscs and styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs) offer opportunities to study integral membrane proteins in lipid environments, in a form that is soluble and amenable to structural and biophysical experiments. Here, we review the application of lipid nanoparticle technologies to the study of GPCRs, assessing the relative merits and limitations of each system. We highlight how these technologies can provide superior platforms to detergents for structural and biophysical studies of GPCRs and inform on roles for protein-lipid interactions in GPCR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Lavington
- Biochemistry Department, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Anthony Watts
- Biochemistry Department, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
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Birch J, Cheruvara H, Gamage N, Harrison PJ, Lithgo R, Quigley A. Changes in Membrane Protein Structural Biology. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E401. [PMID: 33207666 PMCID: PMC7696871 DOI: 10.3390/biology9110401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins are essential components of many biochemical processes and are important pharmaceutical targets. Membrane protein structural biology provides the molecular rationale for these biochemical process as well as being a highly useful tool for drug discovery. Unfortunately, membrane protein structural biology is a difficult area of study due to low protein yields and high levels of instability especially when membrane proteins are removed from their native environments. Despite this instability, membrane protein structural biology has made great leaps over the last fifteen years. Today, the landscape is almost unrecognisable. The numbers of available atomic resolution structures have increased 10-fold though advances in crystallography and more recently by cryo-electron microscopy. These advances in structural biology were achieved through the efforts of many researchers around the world as well as initiatives such as the Membrane Protein Laboratory (MPL) at Diamond Light Source. The MPL has helped, provided access to and contributed to advances in protein production, sample preparation and data collection. Together, these advances have enabled higher resolution structures, from less material, at a greater rate, from a more diverse range of membrane protein targets. Despite this success, significant challenges remain. Here, we review the progress made and highlight current and future challenges that will be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Birch
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Harish Cheruvara
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Nadisha Gamage
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Peter J. Harrison
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Ryan Lithgo
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Andrew Quigley
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
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Yeliseev A, van den Berg A, Zoubak L, Hines K, Stepnowski S, Williston K, Yan W, Gawrisch K, Zmuda J. Thermostability of a recombinant G protein-coupled receptor expressed at high level in mammalian cell culture. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16805. [PMID: 33033368 PMCID: PMC7546613 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73813-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rational design of pharmaceutical drugs targeting integral membrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) requires thorough understanding of ligand binding and mechanism of activation through high resolution structural studies of purified proteins. Due to inherent conformational flexibility of GPCR, stabilization of these proteins solubilized from cell membranes into detergents is a challenging task. Here, we take advantage of naturally occurring post-translational modifications for stabilization of purified GPCR in detergent micelles. The recombinant cannabinoid CB2 receptor was expressed at high yield in Expi293F mammalian cell cultures, solubilized and purified in Façade detergent. We report superior stability of the mammalian cell-expressed receptor compared to its E.coli-expressed counterpart, due to contributions from glycosylation of the N terminus and palmitoylation of the C terminus of CB2. Finally, we demonstrate that the mammalian Expi293F amino acid labelling kit is suitable for preparation of multi-milligram quantities of high quality, selectively stable isotope-labeled GPCR for studies by nuclear magnetic resonance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Yeliseev
- National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | | | - Lioudmila Zoubak
- National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Kirk Hines
- National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sam Stepnowski
- ThermoFisher Scientific, 7335 Executive Way, Frederick, MD, 21704, USA
| | - Kyle Williston
- ThermoFisher Scientific, 7335 Executive Way, Frederick, MD, 21704, USA
| | - Wanhua Yan
- ThermoFisher Scientific, 7335 Executive Way, Frederick, MD, 21704, USA
| | - Klaus Gawrisch
- National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jonathan Zmuda
- ThermoFisher Scientific, 7335 Executive Way, Frederick, MD, 21704, USA
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Polystyrene adsorbents: rapid and efficient surrogate for dialysis in membrane protein purification. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16334. [PMID: 33005012 PMCID: PMC7529760 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73522-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane protein purification is a laborious, expensive, and protracted process involving detergents for its extraction. Purifying functionally active form of membrane protein in sufficient quantity is a major bottleneck in establishing its structure and understanding the functional mechanism. Although overexpression of the membrane proteins has been achieved by recombinant DNA technology, a majority of the protein remains insoluble as inclusion bodies, which is extracted by detergents. Detergent removal is essential for retaining protein structure, function, and subsequent purification techniques. In this study, we have proposed a new approach for detergent removal from the solubilized extract of a recombinant membrane protein: human phospholipid scramblase 3 (hPLSCR3). N-lauryl sarcosine (NLS) has been established as an effective detergent to extract the functionally active recombinant 6X-his- hPLSCR3 from the inclusion bodies. NLS removal before affinity-based purification is essential as the detergent interferes with the matrix binding. Detergent removal by adsorption onto hydrophobic polystyrene beads has been methodically studied and established that the current approach was 10 times faster than the conventional dialysis method. The study established the potency of polystyrene-based beads as a convenient, efficient, and alternate tool to dialysis in detergent removal without significantly altering the structure and function of the membrane protein.
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Hothersall JD, Jones AY, Dafforn TR, Perrior T, Chapman KL. Releasing the technical 'shackles' on GPCR drug discovery: opportunities enabled by detergent-free polymer lipid particle (PoLiPa) purification. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:S1359-6446(20)30337-8. [PMID: 32835806 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) drug research is presently hindered by the technical challenges associated with generating purified receptors. Consequently, the application of critical modern discovery technologies has been limited, and the vast untapped opportunity for new GPCR-directed medicines is not being realised. A simple but transformative solution is to purify receptors without removing them from their native phospholipid environment by using polymer lipid particle (PoLiPa) technology, with reagents such as styrene-maleic acid co-polymer (SMA). Compared with contemporary detergent-based and stabilising mutagenesis methods, the PoLiPa approach is simple and generic and, therefore, offers huge advantages, with the potential to revolutionise GPCR research by facilitating the availability of the purified receptors that are required for structural biology, biophysical, and panning technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Daniel Hothersall
- Domainex Ltd, Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden, CB10 1XL, UK.
| | - Andrew Y Jones
- Domainex Ltd, Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden, CB10 1XL, UK
| | - Tim R Dafforn
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Trevor Perrior
- Domainex Ltd, Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden, CB10 1XL, UK
| | - Kathryn L Chapman
- Domainex Ltd, Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden, CB10 1XL, UK
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Danielczak B, Keller S. Lipid exchange among polymer-encapsulated nanodiscs by time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer. Methods 2020; 180:27-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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CD81 extracted in SMALP nanodiscs comprises two distinct protein populations within a lipid environment enriched with negatively charged headgroups. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183419. [PMID: 32735789 PMCID: PMC7456796 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tetraspanins exert a wide range of cellular functions of broad medical importance. Despite this, their biophysical characteristics are incompletely understood. Only two high-resolution structures of full-length tetraspanins have been solved. One is that of human CD81, which is involved in the infectivity of human pathogens including influenza, HIV, the malarial Plasmodium parasite and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The CD81 crystal structure identifies a cholesterol-binding pocket, which has been suggested to be important in the regulation of tetraspanin function. Here we investigate the use of styrene-maleic anhydride co-polymers (SMA) for the solubilisation and purification of CD81 within a lipid environment. When CD81 was expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris, it could be solubilised and purified using SMA2000. This SMALP-encapsulated CD81 retained its native folded structure, as determined by the binding of two conformation-sensitive anti-CD81 antibodies. Analysis by size exclusion chromatography revealed two distinct populations of CD81, only one of which bound the HCV glycoprotein, E2. Optimization of expression and buffer conditions increased the proportion of E2-binding competent CD81 protein. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the lipid environment surrounding CD81 is enriched with negatively charged lipids. These results establish a platform to study the influence of protein-lipid interactions in tetraspanin biology. CD81 expressed in Pichia pastoris can be solubilised and purified using SMA polymer. SMALP-encapsulated CD81 retains native folded structure. Expression and buffer conditions can be optimized to improve protein quality. The lipid environment surrounding CD81 is enriched with negatively charged lipids.
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