1
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Kogut-Günthel MM, Zara Z, Nicoli A, Steuer A, Lopez-Balastegui M, Selent J, Karanth S, Koehler M, Ciancetta A, Abiko LA, Hagn F, Di Pizio A. The path to the G protein-coupled receptor structural landscape: Major milestones and future directions. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 39209310 DOI: 10.1111/bph.17314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a crucial role in cell function by transducing signals from the extracellular environment to the inside of the cell. They mediate the effects of various stimuli, including hormones, neurotransmitters, ions, photons, food tastants and odorants, and are renowned drug targets. Advancements in structural biology techniques, including X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), have driven the elucidation of an increasing number of GPCR structures. These structures reveal novel features that shed light on receptor activation, dimerization and oligomerization, dichotomy between orthosteric and allosteric modulation, and the intricate interactions underlying signal transduction, providing insights into diverse ligand-binding modes and signalling pathways. However, a substantial portion of the GPCR repertoire and their activation states remain structurally unexplored. Future efforts should prioritize capturing the full structural diversity of GPCRs across multiple dimensions. To do so, the integration of structural biology with biophysical and computational techniques will be essential. We describe in this review the progress of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to examine GPCR plasticity and conformational dynamics, of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to explore the spatial-temporal dynamics and kinetic aspects of GPCRs, and the recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence for protein structure prediction to characterize the structures of the entire GPCRome. In summary, the journey through GPCR structural biology provided in this review illustrates how far we have come in decoding these essential proteins architecture and function. Looking ahead, integrating cutting-edge biophysics and computational tools offers a path to navigating the GPCR structural landscape, ultimately advancing GPCR-based applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeenat Zara
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Alessandro Nicoli
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Professorship for Chemoinformatics and Protein Modelling, Department of Molecular Life Science, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Alexandra Steuer
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Professorship for Chemoinformatics and Protein Modelling, Department of Molecular Life Science, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Marta Lopez-Balastegui
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute & Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute & Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sanjai Karanth
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Melanie Koehler
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- TUM Junior Fellow at the Chair of Nutritional Systems Biology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Antonella Ciancetta
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Layara Akemi Abiko
- Focal Area Structural Biology and Biophysics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Franz Hagn
- Structural Membrane Biochemistry, Bavarian NMR Center, Dept. Bioscience, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Structural Biology (STB), Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Antonella Di Pizio
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Professorship for Chemoinformatics and Protein Modelling, Department of Molecular Life Science, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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2
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Weinstein JJ, Saikia C, Karbat I, Goldenzweig A, Reuveny E, Fleishman SJ. One-shot design elevates functional expression levels of a voltage-gated potassium channel. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4995. [PMID: 38747377 PMCID: PMC11094769 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Membrane proteins play critical physiological roles as receptors, channels, pumps, and transporters. Despite their importance, however, low expression levels often hamper the experimental characterization of membrane proteins. We present an automated and web-accessible design algorithm called mPROSS (https://mPROSS.weizmann.ac.il), which uses phylogenetic analysis and an atomistic potential, including an empirical lipophilicity scale, to improve native-state energy. As a stringent test, we apply mPROSS to the Kv1.2-Kv2.1 paddle chimera voltage-gated potassium channel. Four designs, encoding 9-26 mutations relative to the parental channel, were functional and maintained potassium-selective permeation and voltage dependence in Xenopus oocytes with up to 14-fold increase in whole-cell current densities. Additionally, single-channel recordings reveal no significant change in the channel-opening probability nor in unitary conductance, indicating that functional expression levels increase without impacting the activity profile of individual channels. Our results suggest that the expression levels of other dynamic channels and receptors may be enhanced through one-shot design calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Jacob Weinstein
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
- Present address:
Scala Biodesign LtdTel AvivIsrael
| | - Chandamita Saikia
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
- Present address:
Institute for BiochemistryUniversity of LübeckLübeckGermany
| | - Izhar Karbat
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | | | - Eitan Reuveny
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
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3
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Kalogriopoulos NA, Tei R, Yan Y, Ravalin M, Li Y, Ting A. Synthetic G protein-coupled receptors for programmable sensing and control of cell behavior. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.15.589622. [PMID: 38659921 PMCID: PMC11042292 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.15.589622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic receptors that mediate antigen-dependent cell responses are transforming therapeutics, drug discovery, and basic research. However, established technologies such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can only detect immobilized antigens, have limited output scope, and lack built-in drug control. Here, we engineer synthetic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) capable of driving a wide range of native or nonnative cellular processes in response to user-defined antigen. We achieve modular antigen gating by engineering and fusing a conditional auto-inhibitory domain onto GPCR scaffolds. Antigen binding to a fused nanobody relieves auto-inhibition and enables receptor activation by drug, thus generating Programmable Antigen-gated G protein-coupled Engineered Receptors (PAGERs). We create PAGERs responsive to more than a dozen biologically and therapeutically important soluble and cell surface antigens, in a single step, from corresponding nanobody binders. Different PAGER scaffolds permit antigen binding to drive transgene expression, real-time fluorescence, or endogenous G protein activation, enabling control of cytosolic Ca 2+ , lipid signaling, cAMP, and neuronal activity. Due to its modular design and generalizability, we expect PAGER to have broad utility in discovery and translational science.
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4
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Khorn PA, Luginina AP, Pospelov VA, Dashevsky DE, Khnykin AN, Moiseeva OV, Safronova NA, Belousov AS, Mishin AV, Borshchevsky VI. Rational Design of Drugs Targeting G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: A Structural Biology Perspective. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:747-764. [PMID: 38831510 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924040138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a key role in the transduction of extracellular signals to cells and regulation of many biological processes, which makes these membrane proteins one of the most important targets for pharmacological agents. A significant increase in the number of resolved atomic structures of GPCRs has opened the possibility of developing pharmaceuticals targeting these receptors via structure-based drug design (SBDD). SBDD employs information on the structure of receptor-ligand complexes to search for selective ligands without the need for an extensive high-throughput experimental ligand screening and can significantly expand the chemical space for ligand search. In this review, we describe the process of deciphering GPCR structures using X-ray diffraction analysis and cryoelectron microscopy as an important stage in the rational design of drugs targeting this receptor class. Our main goal was to present modern developments and key features of experimental methods used in SBDD of GPCR-targeting agents to a wide range of specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina A Khorn
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Aleksandra P Luginina
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Pospelov
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Dmitrii E Dashevsky
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Andrey N Khnykin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Olga V Moiseeva
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
- Scryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
| | - Nadezhda A Safronova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Anatolii S Belousov
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Alexey V Mishin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
| | - Valentin I Borshchevsky
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
- Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Dubna, Moscow Region, 141980, Russia
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5
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Addis P, Bali U, Baron F, Campbell A, Harborne S, Jagger L, Milne G, Pearce M, Rosethorne EM, Satchell R, Swift D, Young B, Unitt JF. Key aspects of modern GPCR drug discovery. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2024; 29:1-22. [PMID: 37625784 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest and most versatile cell surface receptor family with a broad repertoire of ligands and functions. We've learned an enormous amount about discovering drugs of this receptor class since the first GPCR was cloned and expressed in 1986, such that it's now well-recognized that GPCRs are the most successful target class for approved drugs. Here we take the reader through a GPCR drug discovery journey from target to the clinic, highlighting the key learnings, best practices, challenges, trends and insights on discovering drugs that ultimately modulate GPCR function therapeutically in patients. The future of GPCR drug discovery is inspiring, with more desirable drug mechanisms and new technologies enabling the delivery of better and more successful drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phil Addis
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Utsav Bali
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Frank Baron
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Adrian Campbell
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Steven Harborne
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Liz Jagger
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Gavin Milne
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Martin Pearce
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Rosethorne
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Rupert Satchell
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Denise Swift
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Barbara Young
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK
| | - John F Unitt
- Bioscience, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Protein Science Departments, Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK.
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6
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Xi C, Diao J, Moon TS. Advances in ligand-specific biosensing for structurally similar molecules. Cell Syst 2023; 14:1024-1043. [PMID: 38128482 PMCID: PMC10751988 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The specificity of biological systems makes it possible to develop biosensors targeting specific metabolites, toxins, and pollutants in complex medical or environmental samples without interference from structurally similar compounds. For the last two decades, great efforts have been devoted to creating proteins or nucleic acids with novel properties through synthetic biology strategies. Beyond augmenting biocatalytic activity, expanding target substrate scopes, and enhancing enzymes' enantioselectivity and stability, an increasing research area is the enhancement of molecular specificity for genetically encoded biosensors. Here, we summarize recent advances in the development of highly specific biosensor systems and their essential applications. First, we describe the rational design principles required to create libraries containing potential mutants with less promiscuity or better specificity. Next, we review the emerging high-throughput screening techniques to engineer biosensing specificity for the desired target. Finally, we examine the computer-aided evaluation and prediction methods to facilitate the construction of ligand-specific biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenggang Xi
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jinjin Diao
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tae Seok Moon
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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7
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Watanabe A, Nakajima A, Shiroishi M. Recovery of the histamine H 3 receptor activity lost in yeast cells through error-prone PCR and in vivo selection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16127. [PMID: 37752220 PMCID: PMC10522717 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43389-z] [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: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest protein family in humans and are important drug targets. Yeast, especially Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a useful host for modifying the function and stability of GPCRs through protein engineering, which is advantageous for mammalian cells. When GPCRs are expressed in yeast, their function is often impaired. In this study, we performed random mutagenesis using error-prone PCR and then an in vivo screening to obtain mutants that recovered the activity of the human histamine H3 receptor (H3R), which loses its signaling function when expressed in yeast. Four mutations with recovered activity were identified after screening. Three of the mutations were identified near the DRY and NPxxY motifs of H3R, which are important for activation and are commonly found in class A GPCRs. The mutants responded exclusively to the yeast YB1 strain harboring Gi-chimera proteins, showing retention of G protein specificity. Analysis of one of the mutants with recovered activity, C415R, revealed that it maintained its ligand-binding characteristics. The strategy used in this study may enable the recovery of the activity of other GPCRs that do not function in S. cerevisiae and may be useful in creating GPCRs mutants stabilized in their active conformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayami Watanabe
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, 125-8585, Japan
| | - Ami Nakajima
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, 125-8585, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Shiroishi
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, 125-8585, Japan.
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8
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Mohamadi M, Goricanec D, Wagner G, Hagn F. NMR sample optimization and backbone assignment of a stabilized neurotensin receptor. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:107970. [PMID: 37142193 PMCID: PMC10242673 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.107970] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in a multitude of cellular signaling cascades and consequently are a prominent target for pharmaceutical drugs. In the past decades, a growing number of high-resolution structures of GPCRs has been solved, providing unprecedented insights into their mode of action. However, knowledge on the dynamical nature of GPCRs is equally important for a better functional understanding, which can be obtained by NMR spectroscopy. Here, we employed a combination of size exclusion chromatography, thermal stability measurements and 2D-NMR experiments for the NMR sample optimization of the stabilized neurotensin receptor type 1 (NTR1) variant HTGH4 bound to the agonist neurotensin. We identified the short-chain lipid di-heptanoyl-glycero-phosphocholine (DH7PC) as a promising membrane mimetic for high resolution NMR experiments and obtained a partial NMR backbone resonance assignment. However, internal membrane-incorporated parts of the protein were not visible due to lacking amide proton back-exchange. Nevertheless, NMR and hydrogen deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry experiments could be used to probe structural changes at the orthosteric ligand binding site in the agonist and antagonist bound states. To enhance amide proton exchange we partially unfolded HTGH4 and observed additional NMR signals in the transmembrane region. However, this procedure led to a higher sample heterogeneity, suggesting that other strategies need to be applied to obtain high-quality NMR spectra of the entire protein. In summary, the herein reported NMR characterization is an essential step toward a more complete resonance assignment of NTR1 and for probing its structural and dynamical features in different functional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Mohamadi
- Bavarian NMR Center (BNMRZ) and Structural Membrane Biochemistry, Dept. of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - David Goricanec
- Bavarian NMR Center (BNMRZ) and Structural Membrane Biochemistry, Dept. of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Gerhard Wagner
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Franz Hagn
- Bavarian NMR Center (BNMRZ) and Structural Membrane Biochemistry, Dept. of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany; Institute of Structural Biology, Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Center, Helmholtz Munich 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
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9
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Klenk C, Scrivens M, Niederer A, Shi S, Mueller L, Gersz E, Zauderer M, Smith ES, Strohner R, Plückthun A. A Vaccinia-based system for directed evolution of GPCRs in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1770. [PMID: 36997531 PMCID: PMC10063554 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37191-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Directed evolution in bacterial or yeast display systems has been successfully used to improve stability and expression of G protein-coupled receptors for structural and biophysical studies. Yet, several receptors cannot be tackled in microbial systems due to their complex molecular composition or unfavorable ligand properties. Here, we report an approach to evolve G protein-coupled receptors in mammalian cells. To achieve clonality and uniform expression, we develop a viral transduction system based on Vaccinia virus. By rational design of synthetic DNA libraries, we first evolve neurotensin receptor 1 for high stability and expression. Second, we demonstrate that receptors with complex molecular architectures and large ligands, such as the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor, can be readily evolved. Importantly, functional receptor properties can now be evolved in the presence of the mammalian signaling environment, resulting in receptor variants exhibiting increased allosteric coupling between the ligand binding site and the G protein interface. Our approach thus provides insights into the intricate molecular interplay required for GPCR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Klenk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Maria Scrivens
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Anina Niederer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shuying Shi
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Loretta Mueller
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Elaine Gersz
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Maurice Zauderer
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Ernest S Smith
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Ralf Strohner
- MorphoSys AG, Semmelweisstr. 7, 82152, Planegg, Germany
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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10
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Ligands selectively tune the local and global motions of neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS 1). Cell Rep 2023; 42:112015. [PMID: 36680775 PMCID: PMC9930568 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies have revealed that fast methyl sidechain dynamics can report on entropically-driven allostery. Yet, NMR applications have been largely limited to the super-microsecond motional regimes of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We use 13Cε-methionine chemical shift-based global order parameters to test if ligands affect the fast dynamics of a thermostabilized GPCR, neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1). We establish that the NTS1 solution ensemble includes substates with lifetimes on several, discrete timescales. The longest-lived states reflect those captured in agonist- and inverse agonist-bound crystal structures, separated by large energy barriers. We observe that the rapid fluctuations of individual methionine residues, superimposed on these long-lived states, respond collectively with the degree of fast, global dynamics correlating with ligand pharmacology. This approach lends confidence to interpreting spectra in terms of local structure and methyl dihedral angle geometry. The results suggest a role for sub-microsecond dynamics and conformational entropy in GPCR ligand discrimination.
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11
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Dmitrieva DA, Kotova TV, Safronova NA, Sadova AA, Dashevskii DE, Mishin AV. Protein Design Strategies for the Structural–Functional Studies of G Protein-Coupled Receptors. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2023; 88:S192-S226. [PMID: 37069121 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923140110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an important family of membrane proteins responsible for many physiological functions in human body. High resolution GPCR structures are required to understand their molecular mechanisms and perform rational drug design, as GPCRs play a crucial role in a variety of diseases. That is difficult to obtain for the wild-type proteins because of their low stability. In this review, we discuss how this problem can be solved by using protein design strategies developed to obtain homogeneous stabilized GPCR samples for crystallization and cryoelectron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria A Dmitrieva
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Kotova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Nadezda A Safronova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Alexandra A Sadova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Dmitrii E Dashevskii
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Alexey V Mishin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
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12
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Smith ES, Balch LA, Scrivens M, Shi S, Wang W, Harvey CD, Cornelison AA, Gil-Moore M, Kirk RA, Mueller LL, Hall RL, Howell AP, Reilly CA, Mayer JM, Murante FG, Viggiani KA, Gersz EM, Bussler H, Keefe MR, Evans EE, Paris MJ, Zauderer M. Use of poxvirus display to select antibodies specific for complex membrane antigens. MAbs 2023; 15:2249947. [PMID: 37635331 PMCID: PMC10464538 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2249947] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody discovery against complex antigens is limited by the availability of a reproducible pure source of concentrated properly folded antigen. We have developed a technology to enable direct incorporation of membrane proteins such as GPCRs and into the membrane of poxvirus. The protein of interest is correctly folded and expressed in the cell-derived viral membrane and does not require any detergents or refolding before downstream use. The poxvirus is selective in which proteins are incorporated into the viral membrane, making the antigen poxvirus an antigenically cleaner target for in vitro panning. Antigen-expressing virus can be readily purified at scale and used for antibody selection using any in vitro display platform.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Wei Wang
- Research, Vaccinex, Inc, Rochester, NY, USA
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13
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Miettinen K, Leelahakorn N, Almeida A, Zhao Y, Hansen LR, Nikolajsen IE, Andersen JB, Givskov M, Staerk D, Bak S, Kampranis SC. A GPCR-based yeast biosensor for biomedical, biotechnological, and point-of-use cannabinoid determination. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3664. [PMID: 35760809 PMCID: PMC9237071 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31357-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells use G-protein coupled receptors to sense diverse signals, ranging from chemical compounds to light. Here, we exploit the remarkable sensing capacity of G-protein coupled receptors to construct yeast-based biosensors for real-life applications. To establish proof-of-concept, we focus on cannabinoids because of their neuromodulatory and immunomodulatory activities. We construct a CB2 receptor-based biosensor, optimize it to achieve high sensitivity and dynamic range, and prove its effectiveness in three applications of increasing difficulty. First, we screen a compound library to discover agonists and antagonists. Second, we analyze 54 plants to discover a new phytocannabinoid, dugesialactone. Finally, we develop a robust portable device, analyze body-fluid samples, and confidently detect designer drugs like JWH-018. These examples demonstrate the potential of yeast-based biosensors to enable diverse applications that can be implemented by non-specialists. Taking advantage of the extensive sensing repertoire of G-protein coupled receptors, this technology can be extended to detect numerous compounds. GPCRs are used for diverse sensing in eukaryotes. Here the authors use GPCRs to construct yeast-based biosensors, focussing on cannabinoids, and use these to screen agonists and antagonists, as well as generate a portable detection device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Miettinen
- Biochemical Engineering Group, Plant Biochemistry Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Nattawat Leelahakorn
- Biochemical Engineering Group, Plant Biochemistry Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Aldo Almeida
- Biochemical Engineering Group, Plant Biochemistry Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.,Bioremediation Laboratory, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Carretera Torreón-Matamoros km. 7.5, Torreón, Coahuila, 27000, Mexico
| | - Yong Zhao
- Biochemical Engineering Group, Plant Biochemistry Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Lukas R Hansen
- Biochemical Engineering Group, Plant Biochemistry Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Iben E Nikolajsen
- Biochemical Engineering Group, Plant Biochemistry Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Jens B Andersen
- Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Givskov
- Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dan Staerk
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Bak
- Biochemical Engineering Group, Plant Biochemistry Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Sotirios C Kampranis
- Biochemical Engineering Group, Plant Biochemistry Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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14
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Sowlati-Hashjin S, Gandhi A, Garton M. Dawn of a New Era for Membrane Protein Design. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9791435. [PMID: 37850134 PMCID: PMC10521746 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9791435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A major advancement has recently occurred in the ability to predict protein secondary structure from sequence using artificial neural networks. This new accessibility to high-quality predicted structures provides a big opportunity for the protein design community. It is particularly welcome for membrane protein design, where the scarcity of solved structures has been a major limitation of the field for decades. Here, we review the work done to date on the membrane protein design and set out established and emerging tools that can be used to most effectively exploit this new access to structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahin Sowlati-Hashjin
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3E2
| | - Aanshi Gandhi
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3E2
| | - Michael Garton
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3E2
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15
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Schöppe J, Ehrenmann J, Waltenspühl Y, Plückthun A. Universal platform for the generation of thermostabilized GPCRs that crystallize in LCP. Nat Protoc 2022; 17:698-726. [PMID: 35140409 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00660-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Structural studies of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are often limited by difficulties in obtaining well-diffracting crystals suitable for high-resolution structure determination. During the past decade, crystallization in lipidic cubic phase (LCP) has become the most successful and widely used technique for obtaining such crystals. Despite often intense efforts, many GPCRs remain refractory to crystallization, even if receptors can be purified in sufficient amounts. To address this issue, we have developed a highly efficient screening and stabilization strategy for GPCRs, based on a fluorescence thermal stability assay readout, which seems to correlate particularly well with those GPCR constructs that remain native during incorporation into the LCP. Detailed protocols are provided for rapid and cost-efficient mutant and construct generation using sequence- and ligation-independent cloning, high-throughput magnetic bead-based protein purification from small-scale expressions in mammalian cells, the screening and optimal combination of mutations for increased receptor thermostability and the rapid identification of suitable chimeric fusion protein constructs for successful crystallization in LCP. We exemplify the method on three receptors from two different classes: the neurokinin 1 receptor, the oxytocin receptor and the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jendrik Schöppe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Janosch Ehrenmann
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.,leadXpro AG, PARK InnovAARE, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Yann Waltenspühl
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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16
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Annealing synchronizes the 70 S ribosome into a minimum-energy conformation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2111231119. [PMID: 35177473 PMCID: PMC8872765 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111231119] [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] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers commonly anneal metals, alloys, and semiconductors to repair defects and improve microstructures via recrystallization. Theoretical studies indicate that simulated annealing on biological macromolecules helps predict the final structures with minimum free energy. Experimental validation of this homogenizing effect and further exploration of its applications are fascinating scientific questions that remain elusive. Here, we chose the apo-state 70S ribosome from Escherichia coli as a model, wherein the 30S subunit undergoes a thermally driven intersubunit rotation and exhibits substantial structural flexibility as well as distinct free energy. We experimentally demonstrate that annealing at a fast cooling rate enhances the 70S ribosome homogeneity and improves local resolution on the 30S subunit. After annealing, the 70S ribosome is in a nonrotated state with respect to corresponding intermediate structures in unannealed or heated ribosomes. Manifold-based analysis further indicates that the annealed 70S ribosome takes a narrow conformational distribution and exhibits a minimum-energy state in the free-energy landscape. Our experimental results offer a facile yet robust approach to enhance protein stability, which is ideal for high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy. Beyond structure determination, annealing shows great potential for synchronizing proteins on a single-molecule level and can be extended to study protein folding and explore conformational and energy landscapes.
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17
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Nakai H, Isshiki K, Hattori M, Maehira H, Yamaguchi T, Masuda K, Shimizu Y, Watanabe T, Hohsaka T, Shihoya W, Nureki O, Kato Y, Watanabe H, Matsuura T. Cell-Free Synthesis of Human Endothelin Receptors and Its Application to Ribosome Display. Anal Chem 2022; 94:3831-3839. [PMID: 35188389 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Engineering G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for improved stability or altered function is of great interest, as GPCRs consist of the largest protein family, are involved in many important signaling pathways, and thus, are one of the major drug targets. Here, we report the development of a high-throughput screening method for GPCRs using a reconstituted in vitro transcription-translation (IVTT) system. Human endothelin receptor type-B (ETBR), a class A GPCR that binds endothelin-1 (ET-1), a 21-residue peptide hormone, was synthesized in the presence of nanodisc (ND) composed of a phospholipid, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) (POPG). The ET-1 binding of ETBR was significantly reduced or was undetectable when other phospholipids were used for ND preparation. However, when functional ETBR purified from Sf9 cells was reconstituted into NDs, ET-1 binding was observed with two different phospholipids tested, including POPG. These results suggest that POPG likely supports the folding of ETBR into its functional form in the IVTT system. Using the same conditions as ETBR, whose three-dimensional structure has been solved, human endothelin receptor type-A (ETAR), whose three-dimensional structure remains unsolved, was also synthesized in its functional form. By adding POPG-ND to the IVTT system, both ETAR and ETBR were successfully subjected to ribosome display, a method of in vitro directed evolution that facilitates the screening of up to 1012 mutants. Finally, using a mock library, we showed that ribosome display can be applied for gene screening of ETBR, suggesting that high-throughput screening and directed evolution of GPCRs is possible in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Nakai
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kinuka Isshiki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masato Hattori
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Maehira
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tatsumi Yamaguchi
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1-i7E-307, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Keiko Masuda
- Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystem Dynamics Research (BDR), 6-2-3, Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Shimizu
- Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystem Dynamics Research (BDR), 6-2-3, Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Watanabe
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hohsaka
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Wataru Shihoya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Osamu Nureki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Kato
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hajime Watanabe
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Matsuura
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1-i7E-307, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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18
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Deluigi M, Morstein L, Schuster M, Klenk C, Merklinger L, Cridge RR, de Zhang LA, Klipp A, Vacca S, Vaid TM, Mittl PRE, Egloff P, Eberle SA, Zerbe O, Chalmers DK, Scott DJ, Plückthun A. Crystal structure of the α 1B-adrenergic receptor reveals molecular determinants of selective ligand recognition. Nat Commun 2022; 13:382. [PMID: 35046410 PMCID: PMC8770593 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27911-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
α-adrenergic receptors (αARs) are G protein-coupled receptors that regulate vital functions of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The therapeutic potential of αARs, however, is largely unexploited and hampered by the scarcity of subtype-selective ligands. Moreover, several aminergic drugs either show off-target binding to αARs or fail to interact with the desired subtype. Here, we report the crystal structure of human α1BAR bound to the inverse agonist (+)-cyclazosin, enabled by the fusion to a DARPin crystallization chaperone. The α1BAR structure allows the identification of two unique secondary binding pockets. By structural comparison of α1BAR with α2ARs, and by constructing α1BAR-α2CAR chimeras, we identify residues 3.29 and 6.55 as key determinants of ligand selectivity. Our findings provide a basis for discovery of α1BAR-selective ligands and may guide the optimization of aminergic drugs to prevent off-target binding to αARs, or to elicit a selective interaction with the desired subtype. This study reports the X-ray structure of the α1B-adrenergic G protein-coupled receptor bound to an inverse agonist, and unveils key determinants of subtype-selective ligand binding that may help the design of aminergic drugs with fewer side-effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Deluigi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lena Morstein
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schuster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Klenk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Merklinger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Riley R Cridge
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Lazarus A de Zhang
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alexander Klipp
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Santiago Vacca
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tasneem M Vaid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Peer R E Mittl
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Egloff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie A Eberle
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oliver Zerbe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David K Chalmers
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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19
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Mitsumoto M, Sugaya K, Kazama K, Nakano R, Kosugi T, Murata T, Koga N. State-Targeting Stabilization of Adenosine A 2A Receptor by Fusing a Custom-Made De Novo Designed α-Helical Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12906. [PMID: 34884716 PMCID: PMC8657880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are known for their low stability and large conformational changes upon transitions between multiple states. A widely used method for stabilizing these receptors is to make chimeric receptors by fusing soluble proteins (i.e., fusion partner proteins) into the intracellular loop 3 (ICL3) connecting the transmembrane helices 5 and 6 (TM5 and TM6). However, this fusion approach requires experimental trial and error to identify appropriate soluble proteins, residue positions, and linker lengths for making the fusion. Moreover, this approach has not provided state-targeting stabilization of GPCRs. Here, to rationally stabilize a class A GPCR, adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) in a target state, we carried out the custom-made de novo design of α-helical fusion partner proteins, which can fix the conformation of TM5 and TM6 to that in an inactive state of A2AR through straight helical connections without any kinks or intervening loops. The chimeric A2AR fused with one of the designs (FiX1) exhibited increased thermal stability. Moreover, compared with the wild type, the binding affinity of the chimera against the agonist NECA was significantly decreased, whereas that against the inverse agonist ZM241385 was similar, indicating that the inactive state was selectively stabilized. Our strategy contributes to the rational state-targeting stabilization of GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Mitsumoto
- Department of Structural Molecular Science, School of Physical Sciences, SOKENDAI, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Shonan Village, Hayama 240-0193, Kanagawa, Japan; (M.M.); (T.K.)
- Research Center of Integrative Molecular Systems, Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS), Okazaki 444-8585, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kanna Sugaya
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (K.S.); (K.K.); (R.N.)
| | - Kazuki Kazama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (K.S.); (K.K.); (R.N.)
| | - Ryosuke Nakano
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (K.S.); (K.K.); (R.N.)
| | - Takahiro Kosugi
- Department of Structural Molecular Science, School of Physical Sciences, SOKENDAI, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Shonan Village, Hayama 240-0193, Kanagawa, Japan; (M.M.); (T.K.)
- Research Center of Integrative Molecular Systems, Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS), Okazaki 444-8585, Aichi, Japan
- Protein Design Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS), Okazaki 444-8585, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takeshi Murata
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (K.S.); (K.K.); (R.N.)
- Membrane Protein Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Nobuyasu Koga
- Department of Structural Molecular Science, School of Physical Sciences, SOKENDAI, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Shonan Village, Hayama 240-0193, Kanagawa, Japan; (M.M.); (T.K.)
- Research Center of Integrative Molecular Systems, Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS), Okazaki 444-8585, Aichi, Japan
- Protein Design Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS), Okazaki 444-8585, Aichi, Japan
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20
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Optimizing the Expression of Human Dopamine Receptors in Escherichia coli. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168647. [PMID: 34445358 PMCID: PMC8395450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human dopamine receptors D2S and D3 belong to the group of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are important drug targets. Structural analyses and development of new receptor subtype specific drugs have been impeded by low expression yields or receptor instability. Fusing the T4 lysozyme into the intracellular loop 3 improves crystallization but complicates conformational studies. To circumvent these problems, we expressed the human D2S and D3 receptors in Escherichia coli using different N- and C-terminal fusion proteins and thermostabilizing mutations. We optimized expression times and used radioligand binding assays with whole cells and membrane homogenates to evaluate KD-values and the number of receptors in the cell membrane. We show that the presence but not the type of a C-terminal fusion protein is important. Bacteria expressing receptors capable of ligand binding can be selected using FACS analysis and a fluorescently labeled ligand. Improved receptor variants can thus be generated using error-prone PCR. Subsequent analysis of clones showed the distribution of mutations over the whole gene. Repeated cycles of PCR and FACS can be applied for selecting highly expressing receptor variants with high affinity ligand binding, which in the future can be used for analytical studies.
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21
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Wang Y, Xue P, Cao M, Yu T, Lane ST, Zhao H. Directed Evolution: Methodologies and Applications. Chem Rev 2021; 121:12384-12444. [PMID: 34297541 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Directed evolution aims to expedite the natural evolution process of biological molecules and systems in a test tube through iterative rounds of gene diversifications and library screening/selection. It has become one of the most powerful and widespread tools for engineering improved or novel functions in proteins, metabolic pathways, and even whole genomes. This review describes the commonly used gene diversification strategies, screening/selection methods, and recently developed continuous evolution strategies for directed evolution. Moreover, we highlight some representative applications of directed evolution in engineering nucleic acids, proteins, pathways, genetic circuits, viruses, and whole cells. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future perspectives in directed evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Pu Xue
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Mingfeng Cao
- DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Tianhao Yu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Stephan T Lane
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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22
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Scott MJ, Jowett A, Orecchia M, Ertl P, Ouro-Gnao L, Ticehurst J, Gower D, Yates J, Poulton K, Harris C, Mullin MJ, Smith KJ, Lewis AP, Barton N, Washburn ML, de Wildt R. Rapid identification of highly potent human anti-GPCR antagonist monoclonal antibodies. MAbs 2021; 12:1755069. [PMID: 32343620 PMCID: PMC7188403 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1755069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex cellular targets such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), ion channels, and other multi-transmembrane proteins represent a significant challenge for therapeutic antibody discovery, primarily because of poor stability of the target protein upon extraction from cell membranes. To assess whether a limited set of membrane-bound antigen formats could be exploited to identify functional antibodies directed against such targets, we selected a GPCR of therapeutic relevance (CCR1) and identified target binders using an in vitro yeast-based antibody discovery platform (AdimabTM) to expedite hit identification. Initially, we compared two different biotinylated antigen formats overexpressing human CCR1 in a ‘scouting’ approach using a subset of the antibody library. Binders were isolated using streptavidin-coated beads, expressed as yeast supernatants, and screened using a high-throughput binding assay and flow cytometry on appropriate cell lines. The most suitable antigen was then selected to isolate target binders using the full library diversity. This approach identified a combined total of 183 mAbs with diverse heavy chain sequences. A subset of clones exhibited high potencies in primary cell chemotaxis assays, with IC50 values in the low nM/high pM range. To assess the feasibility of any further affinity enhancement, full-length hCCR1 protein was purified, complementary-determining region diversified libraries were constructed from a high and lower affinity mAb, and improved binders were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting selections. A significant affinity enhancement was observed for the lower affinity parental mAb, but not the high affinity mAb. These data exemplify a methodology to generate potent human mAbs for challenging targets rapidly using whole cells as antigen and define a route to the identification of affinity-matured variants if required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Scott
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Amanda Jowett
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Martin Orecchia
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Peter Ertl
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Larissa Ouro-Gnao
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Julia Ticehurst
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - David Gower
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - John Yates
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Katie Poulton
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Carol Harris
- Department of Protein & Cellular Sciences, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Michael J Mullin
- Department of Protein & Cellular Sciences, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Kathrine J Smith
- Department of Protein & Cellular Sciences, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Alan P Lewis
- Department of Data & Computational Sciences, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Nick Barton
- Department of Data & Computational Sciences, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Michael L Washburn
- Experimental Medicine Unit, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Ruud de Wildt
- Department of Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research & Development, Hertfordshire, UK
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23
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Directed evolution for high functional production and stability of a challenging G protein-coupled receptor. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8630. [PMID: 33883583 PMCID: PMC8060309 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87793-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) carry out many fundamental biological functions, are involved in a large number of physiological responses, and are thus important drug targets. To allow detailed biophysical and structural studies, most of these important receptors have to be engineered to overcome their poor intrinsic stability and low expression levels. However, those GPCRs with especially poor properties cannot be successfully optimised even with the current technologies. Here, we present an engineering strategy, based on the combination of three previously developed directed evolution methods, to improve the properties of particularly challenging GPCRs. Application of this novel combination approach enabled the successful selection for improved and crystallisable variants of the human oxytocin receptor, a GPCR with particularly low intrinsic production levels. To analyse the selection results and, in particular, compare the mutations enriched in different hosts, we developed a Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) strategy that combines long reads, covering the whole receptor, with exceptionally low error rates. This study thus gave insight into the evolution pressure on the same membrane protein in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Our long-read NGS strategy provides a general methodology for the highly accurate analysis of libraries of point mutants during directed evolution.
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24
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Generation of a Polyclonal Antibody against the Mouse Metal Transporter ZIP8. Antibodies (Basel) 2021; 10:antib10020016. [PMID: 33919173 PMCID: PMC8167614 DOI: 10.3390/antib10020016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
ZIP8 is a newly identified metal transporter. In human patients, mutations in ZIP8 result in severe manganese deficiency, suggesting a critical role for ZIP8 in regulating systemic manganese homeostasis. In mice, the deletion of ZIP8 recapitulates the symptoms of patients with ZIP8 mutations. However, further studies using mouse models to examine ZIP8′s function were hindered by the lack of suitable antibodies to detect endogenous ZIP8 protein. In this study, we report the design, generation, and validation of a polyclonal antibody against mouse ZIP8. We have demonstrated that the newly generated antibody can be reliably used in immunoblotting analysis to detect endogenous ZIP8 protein in mouse tissues. The successful generation and validation of anti-mouse ZIP8 antibody provide opportunities to further examine the function and regulation of this metal transporter. In addition, our study may provide valuable insights into the future development of antibodies targeting polytopic membrane proteins.
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25
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Waltenspühl Y, Ehrenmann J, Klenk C, Plückthun A. Engineering of Challenging G Protein-Coupled Receptors for Structure Determination and Biophysical Studies. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051465. [PMID: 33800379 PMCID: PMC7962830 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) exert fundamental biological functions and are involved in a multitude of physiological responses, making these receptors ideal drug targets. Drug discovery programs targeting GPCRs have been greatly facilitated by the emergence of high-resolution structures and the resulting opportunities to identify new chemical entities through structure-based drug design. To enable the determination of high-resolution structures of GPCRs, most receptors have to be engineered to overcome intrinsic hurdles such as their poor stability and low expression levels. In recent years, multiple engineering approaches have been developed to specifically address the technical difficulties of working with GPCRs, which are now beginning to make more challenging receptors accessible to detailed studies. Importantly, successfully engineered GPCRs are not only valuable in X-ray crystallography, but further enable biophysical studies with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, native mass spectrometry, and fluorescence anisotropy measurements, all of which are important for the detailed mechanistic understanding, which is the prerequisite for successful drug design. Here, we summarize engineering strategies based on directed evolution to reduce workload and enable biophysical experiments of particularly challenging GPCRs.
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26
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Abiko LA, Rogowski M, Gautier A, Schertler G, Grzesiek S. Efficient production of a functional G protein-coupled receptor in E. coli for structural studies. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2021; 75:25-38. [PMID: 33501610 PMCID: PMC7897205 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-020-00354-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are transmembrane signal transducers which regulate many key physiological process. Since their discovery, their analysis has been limited by difficulties in obtaining sufficient amounts of the receptors in high-quality, functional form from heterologous expression hosts. Albeit highly attractive because of its simplicity and the ease of isotope labeling for NMR studies, heterologous expression of functional GPCRs in E. coli has proven particularly challenging due to the absence of the more evolved protein expression and folding machinery of higher eukaryotic hosts. Here we first give an overview on the previous strategies for GPCR E. coli expression and then describe the development of an optimized robust protocol for the E. coli expression and purification of two mutants of the turkey β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR) uniformly or selectively labeled in 15N or 2H,15N. These mutants had been previously optimized for thermal stability using insect cell expression and used successfully in crystallographic and NMR studies. The same sequences were then used for E. coli expression. Optimization of E. coli expression was achieved by a quantitative analysis of losses of receptor material at each step of the solubilization and purification procedure. Final yields are 0.2-0.3 mg receptor per liter culture. Whereas both expressed mutants are well folded and competent for orthosteric ligand binding, the less stable YY-β1AR mutant also comprises the two native tyrosines Y5.58 and Y7.53, which enable G protein binding. High-quality 1H-15N TROSY spectra were obtained for E. coli-expressed YY-β1AR in three different functional states (antagonist, agonist, and agonist + G protein-mimicking nanobody-bound), which are identical to spectra obtained of the same forms of the receptor expressed in insect cells. NdeI and AgeI restriction sites introduced into the expression plasmid allow for the easy replacement of the receptor gene by other GPCR genes of interest, and the provided quantitative workflow analysis may guide the respective adaptation of the purification protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layara Akemi Abiko
- Focal Area Structural Biology and Biophysics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Marco Rogowski
- Focal Area Structural Biology and Biophysics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Gautier
- Focal Area Structural Biology and Biophysics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
- Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | - Stephan Grzesiek
- Focal Area Structural Biology and Biophysics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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27
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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: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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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28
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Goba I, Goricanec D, Schum D, Hillenbrand M, Plückthun A, Hagn F. Probing the Conformation States of Neurotensin Receptor 1 Variants by NMR Site-Directed Methyl Labeling. Chembiochem 2020; 22:139-146. [PMID: 32881260 PMCID: PMC7821118 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key players in mediating signal transduction across the cell membrane. However, due to their intrinsic instability, many GPCRs are not suitable for structural investigations. Various approaches have been developed in recent years to remedy this situation, ranging from the use of more native membrane mimetics to protein‐stabilization methods. The latter approach typically results in GPCRs that contain various numbers of mutations. However, probing the functionality of such variants by in vitro and in vivo assays is often time consuming. In addition, to validate the suitability of such GPCRs for structural investigations, an assessment of their conformation state is required. NMR spectroscopy has been proven to be suitable to probe the conformation state of GPCRs in solution. Here, by using chemical labeling with an isotope‐labeled methyl probe, we show that the activity and the conformation state of stabilized neurotensin receptor 1 variants obtained from directed evolution can be efficiently assayed in 2D NMR experiments. This strategy enables the quantification of the active and inactive conformation states and the derivation of an estimation of the basal as well as agonist‐induced activity of the receptor. Furthermore, this assay can be used as a readout when re‐introducing agonist‐dependent signaling into a highly stabilized, and thus rigidified, receptor by mutagenesis. This approach will be useful in cases where low production yields do not permit the addition of labeled compounds to the growth medium and where 1D NMR spectra of selectively 19F‐labeled receptors are not sufficient to resolve signal overlap for a more detailed analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inguna Goba
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85746, Oberschleißheim Neuherberg, Germany
| | - David Goricanec
- Bavarian NMR Center at the Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Strasse 2, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Dominik Schum
- Bavarian NMR Center at the Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Strasse 2, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Matthias Hillenbrand
- Biochemisches Institut, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Biochemisches Institut, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Franz Hagn
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85746, Oberschleißheim Neuherberg, Germany.,Bavarian NMR Center at the Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Strasse 2, 85747, Garching, Germany
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29
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Antigen Design for Successful Isolation of Highly Challenging Therapeutic Anti-GPCR Antibodies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218240. [PMID: 33153215 PMCID: PMC7663707 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) transmit extracellular signals into cells to regulate a variety of cellular functions and are closely related to the homeostasis of the human body and the progression of various types of diseases. Great attention has been paid to GPCRs as excellent drug targets, and there are many commercially available small-molecule chemical drugs against GPCRs. Despite this, the development of therapeutic anti-GPCR antibodies has been delayed and is challenging due to the difficulty in preparing active forms of GPCR antigens, resulting from their low cellular expression and complex structures. Here, we focus on anti-GPCR antibodies that have been approved or are subject to clinical trials and present various technologies to prepare active GPCR antigens that enable the isolation of therapeutic antibodies to proceed toward clinical validation.
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30
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Alfaleh MA, Alsaab HO, Mahmoud AB, Alkayyal AA, Jones ML, Mahler SM, Hashem AM. Phage Display Derived Monoclonal Antibodies: From Bench to Bedside. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1986. [PMID: 32983137 PMCID: PMC7485114 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become one of the most important classes of biopharmaceutical products, and they continue to dominate the universe of biopharmaceutical markets in terms of approval and sales. They are the most profitable single product class, where they represent six of the top ten selling drugs. At the beginning of the 1990s, an in vitro antibody selection technology known as antibody phage display was developed by John McCafferty and Sir. Gregory Winter that enabled the discovery of human antibodies for diverse applications, particularly antibody-based drugs. They created combinatorial antibody libraries on filamentous phage to be utilized for generating antigen specific antibodies in a matter of weeks. Since then, more than 70 phage–derived antibodies entered clinical studies and 14 of them have been approved. These antibodies are indicated for cancer, and non-cancer medical conditions, such as inflammatory, optical, infectious, or immunological diseases. This review will illustrate the utility of phage display as a powerful platform for therapeutic antibodies discovery and describe in detail all the approved mAbs derived from phage display.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Alfaleh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hashem O Alsaab
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Bakur Mahmoud
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
| | - Almohanad A Alkayyal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Martina L Jones
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Research Council Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen M Mahler
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Research Council Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anwar M Hashem
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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31
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Generating therapeutic monoclonal antibodies to complex multi-spanning membrane targets: Overcoming the antigen challenge and enabling discovery strategies. Methods 2020; 180:111-126. [PMID: 32422249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex integral membrane proteins, which are embedded in the cell surface lipid bilayer by multiple transmembrane spanning helices, encompass families of proteins which are important target classes for drug discovery. These protein families include G protein-coupled receptors, ion channels and transporters. Although these proteins have typically been targeted by small molecule drugs and peptides, the high specificity of monoclonal antibodies offers a significant opportunity to selectively modulate these target proteins. However, it remains the case that isolation of antibodies with desired pharmacological function(s) has proven difficult due to technical challenges in preparing membrane protein antigens suitable to support antibody drug discovery. In this review recent progress in defining strategies for generation of membrane protein antigens is outlined. We also highlight antibody isolation strategies which have generated antibodies which bind the membrane protein and modulate the protein function.
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32
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Michou M, Stergios A, Skretas G. SuptoxD2.0: A second-generation engineered Escherichia coli strain achieving further enhanced levels of recombinant membrane protein production. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:2434-2445. [PMID: 32383198 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The bacterium Escherichia coli is among the most popular hosts for recombinant protein production, including that of membrane proteins (MPs). We have recently generated the specialized MP-producing E. coli strain SuptoxD, which upon co-expression of the effector gene djlA, is capable of alleviating two major bottlenecks in bacterial recombinant MP production: it suppresses the toxicity that frequently accompanies the MP-overexpression process and it markedly increases the cellular accumulation of membrane incorporated and properly folded recombinant MP. Combined, these two positive effects result in dramatically enhanced volumetric yields for various recombinant MPs of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin. Based on the observation that djlA is found in the genomes of various pathogenic bacteria, the aim of the present work was to investigate (a) whether other naturally occurring DjlA variants can exert the MP toxicity-suppressing and production-promoting effects similarly to the E. coli DjlA and (b) if we can identify a DjlA variant whose efficiency surpasses that of the E. coli DjlA of SuptoxD. We report that a quite surprisingly broad variety of homologous DjlA proteins exert beneficial effects on recombinant MP when overexpressed in E. coli. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Salmonella enterica DjlA is an even more potent enhancer of MP productivity compared with the E. coli DjlA of SuptoxD. Based on this, we constructed a second-generation SuptoxD strain, termed SuptoxD2.0, whose MP-production capabilities surpass significantly those of the original SuptoxD, and we anticipate that SuptoxD2.0 will become a broadly utilized expression host for recombinant MP production in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrsini Michou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece.,Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Angelos Stergios
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece.,Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
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33
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Wiseman DN, Otchere A, Patel JH, Uddin R, Pollock NL, Routledge SJ, Rothnie AJ, Slack C, Poyner DR, Bill RM, Goddard AD. Expression and purification of recombinant G protein-coupled receptors: A review. Protein Expr Purif 2020; 167:105524. [PMID: 31678667 PMCID: PMC6983937 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Given their extensive role in cell signalling, GPCRs are significant drug targets; despite this, many of these receptors have limited or no available prophylaxis. Novel drug design and discovery significantly rely on structure determination, of which GPCRs are typically elusive. Progress has been made thus far to produce sufficient quantity and quality of protein for downstream analysis. As such, this review highlights the systems available for recombinant GPCR expression, with consideration of their advantages and disadvantages, as well as examples of receptors successfully expressed in these systems. Additionally, an overview is given on the use of detergents and the styrene maleic acid (SMA) co-polymer for membrane solubilisation, as well as purification techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel N Wiseman
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Abigail Otchere
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Jaimin H Patel
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Romez Uddin
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | | | - Sarah J Routledge
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Alice J Rothnie
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Cathy Slack
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - David R Poyner
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Roslyn M Bill
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Alan D Goddard
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
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34
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Urner LH, Liko I, Yen HY, Hoi KK, Bolla JR, Gault J, Almeida FG, Schweder MP, Shutin D, Ehrmann S, Haag R, Robinson CV, Pagel K. Modular detergents tailor the purification and structural analysis of membrane proteins including G-protein coupled receptors. Nat Commun 2020; 11:564. [PMID: 31992701 PMCID: PMC6987200 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14424-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Detergents enable the purification of membrane proteins and are indispensable reagents in structural biology. Even though a large variety of detergents have been developed in the last century, the challenge remains to identify guidelines that allow fine-tuning of detergents for individual applications in membrane protein research. Addressing this challenge, here we introduce the family of oligoglycerol detergents (OGDs). Native mass spectrometry (MS) reveals that the modular OGD architecture offers the ability to control protein purification and to preserve interactions with native membrane lipids during purification. In addition to a broad range of bacterial membrane proteins, OGDs also enable the purification and analysis of a functional G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). Moreover, given the modular design of these detergents, we anticipate fine-tuning of their properties for specific applications in structural biology. Seen from a broader perspective, this represents a significant advance for the investigation of membrane proteins and their interactions with lipids. Detergents are indispensable reagents in membrane protein structural biology. Here, L. H. Urner and co-workers introduce oligoglycerol detergents (OGDs) and use native mass spectrometry to show how interactions of membrane proteins with native membrane lipids can be preserved during purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonhard H Urner
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany.,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Idlir Liko
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK.,OMass Therapeutics, The Schrödinger Building, Heatley Road, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4GE, UK
| | - Hsin-Yung Yen
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK.,OMass Therapeutics, The Schrödinger Building, Heatley Road, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4GE, UK
| | - Kin-Kuan Hoi
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Jani Reddy Bolla
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Joseph Gault
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Fernando Gonçalves Almeida
- OMass Therapeutics, The Schrödinger Building, Heatley Road, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4GE, UK
| | - Marc-Philip Schweder
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denis Shutin
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Svenja Ehrmann
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer Haag
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Carol V Robinson
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK.
| | - Kevin Pagel
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany. .,Department of Molecular Physics, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
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35
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Alfaleh MA, Alsaab HO, Mahmoud AB, Alkayyal AA, Jones ML, Mahler SM, Hashem AM. Phage Display Derived Monoclonal Antibodies: From Bench to Bedside. Front Immunol 2020. [PMID: 32983137 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01986/bibtex] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become one of the most important classes of biopharmaceutical products, and they continue to dominate the universe of biopharmaceutical markets in terms of approval and sales. They are the most profitable single product class, where they represent six of the top ten selling drugs. At the beginning of the 1990s, an in vitro antibody selection technology known as antibody phage display was developed by John McCafferty and Sir. Gregory Winter that enabled the discovery of human antibodies for diverse applications, particularly antibody-based drugs. They created combinatorial antibody libraries on filamentous phage to be utilized for generating antigen specific antibodies in a matter of weeks. Since then, more than 70 phage-derived antibodies entered clinical studies and 14 of them have been approved. These antibodies are indicated for cancer, and non-cancer medical conditions, such as inflammatory, optical, infectious, or immunological diseases. This review will illustrate the utility of phage display as a powerful platform for therapeutic antibodies discovery and describe in detail all the approved mAbs derived from phage display.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Alfaleh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hashem O Alsaab
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Bakur Mahmoud
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
| | - Almohanad A Alkayyal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Martina L Jones
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Australian Research Council Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen M Mahler
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Australian Research Council Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anwar M Hashem
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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36
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Chen KYM, Keri D, Barth P. Computational design of G Protein-Coupled Receptor allosteric signal transductions. Nat Chem Biol 2019; 16:77-86. [PMID: 31792443 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-019-0407-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Membrane receptors sense and transduce extracellular stimuli into intracellular signaling responses but the molecular underpinnings remain poorly understood. We report a computational approach for designing protein allosteric signaling functions. By combining molecular dynamics simulations and design calculations, the method engineers amino-acid 'microswitches' at allosteric sites that modulate receptor stability or long-range coupling, to reprogram specific signaling properties. We designed 36 dopamine D2 receptor variants, whose constitutive and ligand-induced signaling agreed well with our predictions, repurposed the D2 receptor into a serotonin biosensor and predicted the signaling effects of more than 100 known G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) mutations. Our results reveal the existence of distinct classes of allosteric microswitches and pathways that define an unforeseen molecular mechanism of regulation and evolution of GPCR signaling. Our approach enables the rational design of allosteric receptors with enhanced stability and function to facilitate structural characterization, and reprogram cellular signaling in synthetic biology and cell engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Yui Michael Chen
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Institute of Bioengineering, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Keri
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Institute of Bioengineering, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Barth
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Institute of Bioengineering, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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37
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Ehrenmann J, Schöppe J, Klenk C, Plückthun A. New views into class B GPCRs from the crystal structure of PTH1R. FEBS J 2019; 286:4852-4860. [PMID: 31670461 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) is a major regulator of mineral ion homeostasis and bone metabolism and is thus considered an attractive drug target for the treatment of disorders in calcium metabolism and bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis. PTH1R is a member of the class B of GPCRs, which all share a dynamic multidomain binding mechanism to the peptide hormone. For a long time, these complexes have been recalcitrant to structural studies despite their great therapeutic relevance. Through extensive engineering of both the receptor and the peptide agonist ligand, we were able to determine the first high-resolution structure of a PTH1R-agonist complex. Comparisons of the PTH1R crystal structure with subsequently reported cryo-electron microscopy structures of the same receptor in complex with a G protein, as well as with other class B GPCR structures bound to antagonists, reveal new insights into the two-step activation mechanism of class B GPCRs and extend our understanding of the precise molecular rearrangements during receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janosch Ehrenmann
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jendrik Schöppe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Klenk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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38
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Jana S, Ghosh S, Muk S, Levy B, Vaidehi N. Prediction of Conformation Specific Thermostabilizing Mutations for Class A G Protein-Coupled Receptors. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:3744-3754. [PMID: 31408606 PMCID: PMC6944194 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are highly flexible and prone to denaturation during protein extraction in detergents and purification. This poses a huge challenge to purify a conformationally homogeneous solution of GPCRs. Thermostabilizing mutations have been used widely to purify and obtain crystal structures of several GPCRs. However, identifying thermostabilizing mutations for GPCRs remains a tedious and expensive task as they are not transferable even among closely related GPCRs. Additionally, the mutations stabilizing one conformational state of a GPCR do not always stabilize other conformational state(s) of the same GPCR. Previously we developed a computational method, LiticonDesign, for rapid prediction of thermostabilizing mutations for a specific GPCR conformation. In this study, we have used LiticonDesign to predict thermostabilizing mutations for the agonist bound active-intermediate state of the human adenosine receptor (A2AR) using the structure of the inactive state of the same GPCR and vice versa. Our study shows that the thermostable mutation predictions using LiticonDesign, for an active-intermediate state of a GPCR (A2AR in our case), requires a homology model that is derived from an active/active-intermediate state GPCR structure as a template. Similarly, the homology models derived from inactive state GPCR conformations are better in predicting the thermostable mutations for the inactive state of A2AR. Overall, LiticonDesign method is not only efficient in predicting thermostabilizing mutations for a given GPCR sequence but also can recover conformation specific mutations for a state of interest, if a suitable starting structure of desired conformation is chosen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvamay Jana
- Department of Computation and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Soumadwip Ghosh
- Department of Computation and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Sanychen Muk
- Department of Computation and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Benjamin Levy
- Department of Computation and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Nagarajan Vaidehi
- Department of Computation and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010
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39
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Michou M, Kapsalis C, Pliotas C, Skretas G. Optimization of Recombinant Membrane Protein Production in the Engineered Escherichia coli Strains SuptoxD and SuptoxR. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1631-1641. [PMID: 31243979 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins (MPs) execute a wide variety of critical biological functions in all living organisms and constitute approximately half of current targets for drug discovery. As in the case of soluble proteins, the bacterium Escherichia coli has served as a very popular overexpression host for biochemical/structural studies of membrane proteins as well. Bacterial recombinant membrane protein production, however, is typically hampered by poor cellular accumulation and severe toxicity for the host, which leads to low levels of final biomass and minute volumetric yields. In previous work, we generated the engineered E. coli strains SuptoxD and SuptoxR, which upon coexpression of the effector genes djlA or rraA, respectively, can suppress the cytotoxicity caused by MP overexpression and produce enhanced MP yields. Here, we systematically looked for gene overexpression and culturing conditions that maximize the accumulation of membrane-integrated and well-folded recombinant MPs in these strains. We have found that, under optimal conditions, SuptoxD and SuptoxR achieve greatly enhanced recombinant production for a variety of MP, irrespective of their archaeal, eubacterial, or eukaryotic origin. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the use of these engineered strains enables the production of well-folded recombinant MPs of high quality and at high yields, which are suitable for functional and structural studies. We anticipate that SuptoxD and SuptoxR will become broadly utilized expression hosts for recombinant MP production in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrsini Michou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens 11635, Greece
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Larisa 41500, Greece
| | - Charalampos Kapsalis
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY169ST, United Kingdom
| | - Christos Pliotas
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY169ST, United Kingdom
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens 11635, Greece
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40
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English JG, Olsen RHJ, Lansu K, Patel M, White K, Cockrell AS, Singh D, Strachan RT, Wacker D, Roth BL. VEGAS as a Platform for Facile Directed Evolution in Mammalian Cells. Cell 2019; 178:748-761.e17. [PMID: 31280962 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Directed evolution, artificial selection toward designed objectives, is routinely used to develop new molecular tools and therapeutics. Successful directed molecular evolution campaigns repeatedly test diverse sequences with a designed selective pressure. Unicellular organisms and their viral pathogens are exceptional for this purpose and have been used for decades. However, many desirable targets of directed evolution perform poorly or unnaturally in unicellular backgrounds. Here, we present a system for facile directed evolution in mammalian cells. Using the RNA alphavirus Sindbis as a vector for heredity and diversity, we achieved 24-h selection cycles surpassing 10-3 mutations per base. Selection is achieved through genetically actuated sequences internal to the host cell, thus the system's name: viral evolution of genetically actuating sequences, or "VEGAS." Using VEGAS, we evolve transcription factors, GPCRs, and allosteric nanobodies toward functional signaling endpoints each in less than 1 weeks' time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin G English
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
| | - Reid H J Olsen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Katherine Lansu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Michael Patel
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Karoline White
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Adam S Cockrell
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Darshan Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Ryan T Strachan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Daniel Wacker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
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41
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Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies to Complex Membrane Protein Targets: Antigen Generation and Antibody Discovery Strategies. BioDrugs 2019; 32:339-355. [PMID: 29934752 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-018-0289-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cell surface membrane proteins comprise a wide array of structurally and functionally diverse proteins involved in a variety of important physiological and homeostatic processes. Complex integral membrane proteins, which are embedded in the lipid bilayer by multiple transmembrane-spanning helices, are represented by families of proteins that are important target classes for drug discovery. Such protein families include G-protein-coupled receptors, ion channels and transporters. Although these targets have typically been the domain of small-molecule drugs, the exquisite specificity of monoclonal antibodies offers a significant opportunity to selectively modulate these target proteins. Nevertheless, the isolation of antibodies with desired pharmacological functions has proved difficult because of technical challenges in preparing membrane protein antigens for antibody drug discovery. In this review, we describe recent progress in defining strategies for the generation of membrane protein antigens. We also describe antibody-isolation strategies that identify antibodies that bind the membrane protein and modulate protein function.
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42
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Mutations in sigma 70 transcription factor improves expression of functional eukaryotic membrane proteins in Escherichia coli. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2483. [PMID: 30792443 PMCID: PMC6384906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39492-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic integral membrane proteins (IMPs) are difficult to study due to low functional expression levels. To investigate factors for efficient biogenesis of eukaryotic IMPs in the prokaryotic model organism Escherichia coli, important, e.g., for isotope-labeling for NMR, we selected for E. coli cells expressing high levels of functional G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) by FACS. Utilizing an E. coli strain library with all non-essential genes systematically deleted, we unexpectedly discovered upon whole-genome sequencing that the improved phenotype was not conferred by the deleted genes but by various subtle alterations in the “housekeeping” sigma 70 factor (RpoD). When analyzing effects of the rpoD mutations at the transcriptome level we found that toxic effects incurred on wild-type E. coli during receptor expression were diminished by two independent and synergistic effects: a slower but longer-lasting GPCR biosynthesis and an optimized transcriptional pattern, augmenting growth and expression at low temperature, setting the basis for further bacterial strain engineering.
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43
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Kumar A, Plückthun A. In vivo assembly and large-scale purification of a GPCR - Gα fusion with Gβγ, and characterization of the active complex. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210131. [PMID: 30620756 PMCID: PMC6324789 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are central players in recognizing a variety of stimuli to mediate diverse cellular responses. This myriad of functions is accomplished by their modular interactions with downstream intracellular transducers, such as heterotrimeric G proteins and arrestins. Assembling a specific GPCR-G protein pair as a purified complex for their structural and functional investigations remains a challenging task, however, because of the low affinity of the interaction. Here, we optimized fusion constructs of the Gα subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein and engineered versions of rat Neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1), coexpressed and assembled in vivo with Gβ and Gγ. This was achieved by using the baculovirus-based MultiBac system. We thus generated a functional receptor-G protein fusion complex, which can be efficiently purified using ligand-based affinity chromatography on large scales. Additionally, we utilized a purification method based on a designed ankyrin repeat protein tightly binding to Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP-DARPin) that may be used as a generic approach for a large-scale purification of GPCR-G protein fusion complexes for which no ligands column can be generated. The purification methods described herein will support future studies that aim to understand the structural and functional framework of GPCR activation and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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44
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Membrane protein engineering to the rescue. Biochem Soc Trans 2018; 46:1541-1549. [PMID: 30381335 DOI: 10.1042/bst20180140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The inherent hydrophobicity of membrane proteins is a major barrier to membrane protein research and understanding. Their low stability and solubility in aqueous environments coupled with poor expression levels make them a challenging area of research. For many years, the only way of working with membrane proteins was to optimise the environment to suit the protein, through the use of different detergents, solubilising additives, and other adaptations. However, with innovative protein engineering methodologies, the membrane proteins themselves are now being adapted to suit the environment. This mini-review looks at the types of adaptations which are applied to membrane proteins from a variety of different fields, including water solubilising fusion tags, thermostabilising mutation screening, scaffold proteins, stabilising protein chimeras, and isolating water-soluble domains.
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45
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Cirri E, Brier S, Assal R, Canul-Tec JC, Chamot-Rooke J, Reyes N. Consensus designs and thermal stability determinants of a human glutamate transporter. eLife 2018; 7:40110. [PMID: 30334738 PMCID: PMC6209432 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) take up the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain and are essential to maintain excitatory neurotransmission. Our understanding of the EAATs’ molecular mechanisms has been hampered by the lack of stability of purified protein samples for biophysical analyses. Here, we present approaches based on consensus mutagenesis to obtain thermostable EAAT1 variants that share up to ~95% amino acid identity with the wild type transporters, and remain natively folded and functional. Structural analyses of EAAT1 and the consensus designs using hydrogen-deuterium exchange linked to mass spectrometry show that small and highly cooperative unfolding events at the inter-subunit interface rate-limit their thermal denaturation, while the transport domain unfolds at a later stage in the unfolding pathway. Our findings provide structural insights into the kinetic stability of human glutamate transporters, and introduce general approaches to extend the lifetime of human membrane proteins for biophysical analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Cirri
- Molecular Mechanisms of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,UMR 3528, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Brier
- Mass Spectrometry for Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,USR 2000, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Reda Assal
- Molecular Mechanisms of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,UMR 3528, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Juan Carlos Canul-Tec
- Molecular Mechanisms of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,UMR 3528, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Julia Chamot-Rooke
- Mass Spectrometry for Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,USR 2000, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Reyes
- Molecular Mechanisms of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,UMR 3528, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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46
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Kang MK, Tullman-Ercek D. Engineering expression and function of membrane proteins. Methods 2018; 147:66-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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47
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Arkadash V, Radisky ES, Papo N. Combinatorial engineering of N-TIMP2 variants that selectively inhibit MMP9 and MMP14 function in the cell. Oncotarget 2018; 9:32036-32053. [PMID: 30174795 PMCID: PMC6112833 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing selective inhibitors for proteolytic enzymes that share high sequence homology and structural similarity is important for achieving high target affinity and functional specificity. Here, we used a combination of yeast surface display and dual-color selective library screening to obtain selective inhibitors for each of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP14 and MMP9 by modifying the non-specific N-terminal domain of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (N-TIMP2). We generated inhibitor variants with 30- to 1175-fold improved specificity to each of the proteases, respectively, relative to wild type N-TIMP2. These biochemical results accurately predicted the selectivity and specificity obtained in cell-based assays. In U87MG cells, the activation of MMP2 by MMP14 was inhibited by MMP14-selective blockers but not MMP9-specific inhibitors. Target specificity was also demonstrated in MCF-7 cells stably expressing either MMP14 or MMP9, with only the MMP14-specific inhibitors preventing the mobility of MMP14-expressing cells. Similarly, the mobility of MMP9-expressing cells was inhibited by the MMP9-specific inhibitors, yet was not altered by the MMP14-specific inhibitors. The strategy developed in this study for improving the specificity of an otherwise broad-spectrum inhibitor will likely enhance our understanding of the basis for target specificity of inhibitors to proteolytic enzymes, in general, and to MMPs, in particular. We, moreover, envision that this study could serve as a platform for the development of next-generation, target-specific therapeutic agents. Finally, our methodology can be extended to other classes of proteolytic enzymes and other important target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Arkadash
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Evette S Radisky
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Niv Papo
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Karyolaimos A, Ampah-Korsah H, Zhang Z, de Gier JW. Shaping Escherichia coli for recombinant membrane protein production. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2018; 365:5040224. [DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fny152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Karyolaimos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Biomembrane Research, Sv. Arrheniusväg 16C, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henry Ampah-Korsah
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Biomembrane Research, Sv. Arrheniusväg 16C, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Biomembrane Research, Sv. Arrheniusväg 16C, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan-Willem de Gier
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Biomembrane Research, Sv. Arrheniusväg 16C, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
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Angius F, Ilioaia O, Amrani A, Suisse A, Rosset L, Legrand A, Abou-Hamdan A, Uzan M, Zito F, Miroux B. A novel regulation mechanism of the T7 RNA polymerase based expression system improves overproduction and folding of membrane proteins. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8572. [PMID: 29872064 PMCID: PMC5988807 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26668-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane protein (MP) overproduction is one of the major bottlenecks in structural genomics and biotechnology. Despite the emergence of eukaryotic expression systems, bacteria remain a cost effective and powerful tool for protein production. The T7 RNA polymerase (T7RNAP)-based expression system is a successful and efficient expression system, which achieves high-level production of proteins. However some foreign MPs require a fine-tuning of their expression to minimize the toxicity associated with their production. Here we report a novel regulation mechanism for the T7 expression system. We have isolated two bacterial hosts, namely C44(DE3) and C45(DE3), harboring a stop codon in the T7RNAP gene, whose translation is under the control of the basal nonsense suppressive activity of the BL21(DE3) host. Evaluation of hosts with superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) revealed an unprecedented tighter control of transgene expression with a marked accumulation of the recombinant protein during stationary phase. Analysis of a collection of twenty MP fused to GFP showed an improved production yield and quality of several bacterial MPs and of one human monotopic MP. These mutant hosts are complementary to the other existing T7 hosts and will increase the versatility of the T7 expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Angius
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Oana Ilioaia
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Amira Amrani
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Annabelle Suisse
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France.,Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center at the Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine and Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Lindsay Rosset
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Amélie Legrand
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Abbas Abou-Hamdan
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France.,Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule, CNRS, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Marc Uzan
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Francesca Zito
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Miroux
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France.
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Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a large superfamily of membrane proteins that mediate cell signaling and regulate a variety of physiological processes in the human body. Structure-function studies of this superfamily were enabled a decade ago by multiple breakthroughs in technology that included receptor stabilization, crystallization in a membrane environment, and microcrystallography. The recent emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) has further accelerated structural studies of GPCRs and other challenging proteins by overcoming radiation damage and providing access to high-resolution structures and dynamics using micrometer-sized crystals. Here, we summarize key technology advancements and major milestones of GPCR research using XFELs and provide a brief outlook on future developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Stauch
- Department of Chemistry and Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA; ,
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Department of Chemistry and Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA; ,
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