1
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Patel CK, Mukherjee TK. Biomolecular Condensation of Trypsin Prevents Autolysis and Promotes Ca 2+-Mediated Activation of Esterase Activity. Biomacromolecules 2024. [PMID: 39116325 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The presence of Ca2+ ions is known to facilitate the activity of trypsin-like serine proteases via structural stabilization against thermal denaturation and autolysis. Herein, we report a new and hidden regulatory role of Ca2+ in the catalytic pathways of trypsin and α-chymotrypsin under physiological conditions. We discovered that macromolecular crowding promotes spontaneous homotypic condensation of trypsin via liquid-liquid phase separation to yield membraneless condensates over a broad range of concentrations, pH, and temperature, which are stabilized by multivalent hydrophobic interactions. Interestingly, we found that Ca2+ binding in the calcium binding loop reversibly regulates the condensation of trypsin and α-chymotrypsin. Spontaneous condensation effectively prevents autolysis of trypsin and preserves its native-like esterase activity for a prolonged period of time. It has also been found that phase-separated trypsin responds to Ca2+-dependent activation of its esterase activity even after 14 days of storage while free trypsin failed to do so. The present study highlights an important physiological aspect by which cells can spatiotemporally regulate the biocatalytic efficacy of trypsin-like serine proteases via Ca2+-signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmaya Kumar Patel
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Tushar Kanti Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, Madhya Pradesh, India
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2
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Joshi A, Avni A, Walimbe A, Rai SK, Sarkar S, Mukhopadhyay S. Hydrogen-Bonded Network of Water in Phase-Separated Biomolecular Condensates. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:7724-7734. [PMID: 39042834 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates formed via phase separation of intrinsically disordered proteins/regions (IDPs/IDRs) and nucleic acids are associated with cell physiology and disease. Water makes up for ∼60-70% of the condensate volume and is thought to influence the complex interplay of chain-chain and chain-solvent interactions, modulating the mesoscale properties of condensates. The behavior of water in condensates and the key roles of protein hydration water in driving the phase separation remain elusive. Here, we employ single-droplet vibrational Raman spectroscopy to illuminate the structural redistribution within protein hydration water during the phase separation of neuronal IDPs. Our Raman measurements reveal the changes in the water hydrogen bonding network during homotypic and heterotypic phase separation governed by various molecular drivers. Such single-droplet water Raman measurements offer a potent generic tool to unmask the intriguing interplay of sequence-encoded chain-chain and chain-solvent interactions governing macromolecular phase separation into membraneless organelles, synthetic condensates, and protocells.
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3
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Zhou HX, Kota D, Qin S, Prasad R. Fundamental Aspects of Phase-Separated Biomolecular Condensates. Chem Rev 2024; 124:8550-8595. [PMID: 38885177 PMCID: PMC11260227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00138] [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] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates, formed through phase separation, are upending our understanding in much of molecular, cell, and developmental biology. There is an urgent need to elucidate the physicochemical foundations of the behaviors and properties of biomolecular condensates. Here we aim to fill this need by writing a comprehensive, critical, and accessible review on the fundamental aspects of phase-separated biomolecular condensates. We introduce the relevant theoretical background, present the theoretical basis for the computation and experimental measurement of condensate properties, and give mechanistic interpretations of condensate behaviors and properties in terms of interactions at the molecular and residue levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Divya Kota
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Sanbo Qin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Ramesh Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
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4
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Ramos S, Lee JC. Raman spectroscopy in the study of amyloid formation and phase separation. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1121-1130. [PMID: 38666616 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230599] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, share a common pathological feature of amyloid structure accumulation. However, the structure-function relationship between these well-ordered, β-sheet-rich, filamentous protein deposits and disease etiology remains to be defined. Recently, an emerging hypothesis has linked phase separation, a process involved in the formation of protein condensates, to amyloid formation, suggesting that liquid protein droplets serve as loci for amyloid initiation. To elucidate how these processes contribute to disease progression, tools that can directly report on protein secondary structural changes are needed. Here, we review recent studies that have demonstrated Raman spectroscopy as a powerful vibrational technique for interrogating amyloid structures; one that offers sensitivity from the global secondary structural level to specific residues. This probe-free technique is further enhanced via coupling to a microscope, which affords structural data with spatial resolution, known as Raman spectral imaging (RSI). In vitro and in cellulo applications of RSI are discussed, highlighting studies of protein droplet aging, cellular internalization of fibrils, and Raman imaging of intracellular water. Collectively, utilization of the myriad Raman spectroscopic methods will contribute to a deeper understanding of protein conformational dynamics in the complex cellular milieu and offer potential clinical diagnostic capabilities for protein misfolding and aggregation processes in disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sashary Ramos
- Laboratory of Protein Conformation and Dynamics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
| | - Jennifer C Lee
- Laboratory of Protein Conformation and Dynamics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
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5
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Kamps J, Bader V, Winklhofer KF, Tatzelt J. Liquid-liquid phase separation of the prion protein is regulated by the octarepeat domain independently of histidines and copper. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107310. [PMID: 38657863 PMCID: PMC11126799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of the mammalian prion protein is mainly driven by its intrinsically disordered N-terminal domain (N-PrP). However, the specific intermolecular interactions that promote LLPS remain largely unknown. Here, we used extensive mutagenesis and comparative analyses of evolutionarily distant PrP species to gain insight into the relationship between protein sequence and phase behavior. LLPS of mouse PrP is dependent on two polybasic motifs in N-PrP that are conserved in all tetrapods. A unique feature of mammalian N-PrP is the octarepeat domain with four histidines that mediate binding to copper ions. We now show that the octarepeat is critical for promoting LLPS and preventing the formation of PrP aggregates. Amphibian N-PrP, which contains the polybasic motifs but lacks a repeat domain and histidines, does not undergo LLPS and forms nondynamic protein assemblies indicative of aggregates. Insertion of the mouse octarepeat domain restored LLPS of amphibian N-PrP, supporting its essential role in regulating the phase transition of PrP. This activity of the octarepeat domain was neither dependent on the four highly conserved histidines nor on copper binding. Instead, the regularly spaced tryptophan residues were critical for regulating LLPS, presumably via cation-π interactions with the polybasic motifs. Our study reveals a novel role for the tryptophan residues in the octarepeat in controlling phase transition of PrP and indicates that the ability of mammalian PrP to undergo LLPS has evolved with the octarepeat in the intrinsically disordered domain but independently of the histidines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Kamps
- Department Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Cluster of Excellence RESOLV, Bochum, Germany
| | - Verian Bader
- Department Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Department Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Konstanze F Winklhofer
- Cluster of Excellence RESOLV, Bochum, Germany; Department Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jörg Tatzelt
- Department Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Cluster of Excellence RESOLV, Bochum, Germany.
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6
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Koroleva ON, Kuzmina NV, Dubrovin EV, Drutsa VL. Atomic force microscopy of spherical intermediates on the pathway to fibril formation of influenza A virus nuclear export protein. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:1131-1145. [PMID: 38270267 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24499] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The nuclear export protein of the influenza A virus (NEP) is involved in many important processes of the virus life cycle. This makes it an attractive target for the treatment of a disease caused by a virus. Previously it has been shown, that recombinant variants of NEP are highly prone to aggregation in solution under various conditions with the formation of amyloid-like aggregates. In the present work, the amyloid nature of NEP aggregates was evidenced by Congo red binding assays. Atomic force microscopy has shown that NEP can form two types of spherical nanoparticles, which provide an alternative pathway for the formation of amyloid-like fibrils. Type I of these "fibrillogenic" spheres, formed under physiological conditions, represents the micelle-like particles with height 10-60 nm, which can generate worm-like flexible fibrils with the diameter 2.5-4.0 nm, length 20-500 nm and the Young's modulus ~73 MPa. Type II spherical aggregates with size of about 400-1000 nm, formed at elevated temperatures, includes fractions of drop-like and vesicle-like particles, generating more rigid amyloid-like fibrils with height of ~8 nm, and length of up to 2 μm. The hypothetical mechanism of fibril formation via nanospherical structures was suggested. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: AFM has revealed two types of the influenza A virus nuclear export protein spherical aggregates. They provide an alternative pathway for the formation of amyloid-like fibrils. The mechanism of fibril formation via spherical structures is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga N Koroleva
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Natalia V Kuzmina
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Evgeniy V Dubrovin
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- National University of Science and Technology, MISIS, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Valeriy L Drutsa
- A.N.Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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7
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Mukherjee S, Poudyal M, Dave K, Kadu P, Maji SK. Protein misfolding and amyloid nucleation through liquid-liquid phase separation. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:4976-5013. [PMID: 38597222 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs01065a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is an emerging phenomenon in cell physiology and diseases. The weak multivalent interaction prerequisite for LLPS is believed to be facilitated through intrinsically disordered regions, which are prevalent in neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins. These aggregation-prone proteins also exhibit an inherent property for phase separation, resulting in protein-rich liquid-like droplets. The very high local protein concentration in the water-deficient confined microenvironment not only drives the viscoelastic transition from the liquid to solid-like state but also most often nucleate amyloid fibril formation. Indeed, protein misfolding, oligomerization, and amyloid aggregation are observed to be initiated from the LLPS of various neurodegeneration-related proteins. Moreover, in these cases, neurodegeneration-promoting genetic and environmental factors play a direct role in amyloid aggregation preceded by the phase separation. These cumulative recent observations ignite the possibility of LLPS being a prominent nucleation mechanism associated with aberrant protein aggregation. The present review elaborates on the nucleation mechanism of the amyloid aggregation pathway and the possible early molecular events associated with amyloid-related protein phase separation. It also summarizes the recent advancement in understanding the aberrant phase transition of major proteins contributing to neurodegeneration focusing on the common disease-associated factors. Overall, this review proposes a generic LLPS-mediated multistep nucleation mechanism for amyloid aggregation and its implication in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semanti Mukherjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India.
| | - Manisha Poudyal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India.
| | - Kritika Dave
- Sunita Sanghi Centre of Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Pradeep Kadu
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India.
| | - Samir K Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India.
- Sunita Sanghi Centre of Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
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8
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An Y, Webb MA, Jacobs WM. Active learning of the thermodynamics-dynamics trade-off in protein condensates. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj2448. [PMID: 38181073 PMCID: PMC10775998 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj2448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Phase-separated biomolecular condensates exhibit a wide range of dynamic properties, which depend on the sequences of the constituent proteins and RNAs. However, it is unclear to what extent condensate dynamics can be tuned without also changing the thermodynamic properties that govern phase separation. Using coarse-grained simulations of intrinsically disordered proteins, we show that the dynamics and thermodynamics of homopolymer condensates are strongly correlated, with increased condensate stability being coincident with low mobilities and high viscosities. We then apply an "active learning" strategy to identify heteropolymer sequences that break this correlation. This data-driven approach and accompanying analysis reveal how heterogeneous amino acid compositions and nonuniform sequence patterning map to a range of independently tunable dynamic and thermodynamic properties of biomolecular condensates. Our results highlight key molecular determinants governing the physical properties of biomolecular condensates and establish design rules for the development of stimuli-responsive biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxin An
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Michael A. Webb
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - William M. Jacobs
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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9
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Tao J, Zeng Y, Dai B, Liu Y, Pan X, Wang LQ, Chen J, Zhou Y, Lu Z, Xie L, Liang Y. Excess PrP C inhibits muscle cell differentiation via miRNA-enhanced liquid-liquid phase separation implicated in myopathy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8131. [PMID: 38065962 PMCID: PMC10709375 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is required for skeletal muscle function. Here, we report that a higher level of PrPC accumulates in the cytoplasm of the skeletal muscle of six myopathy patients compared to controls. PrPC inhibits skeletal muscle cell autophagy, and blocks myoblast differentiation. PrPC selectively binds to a subset of miRNAs during myoblast differentiation, and the colocalization of PrPC and miR-214-3p was observed in the skeletal muscle of six myopathy patients with excessive PrPC. We demonstrate that PrPC is overexpressed in skeletal muscle cells under pathological conditions, inhibits muscle cell differentiation by physically interacting with a subset of miRNAs, and selectively recruits these miRNAs into its phase-separated condensate in living myoblasts, which in turn enhances liquid-liquid phase separation of PrPC, promotes pathological aggregation of PrP, and results in the inhibition of autophagy-related protein 5-dependent autophagy and muscle bundle formation in myopathy patients characterized by incomplete muscle regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yanping Zeng
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Bin Dai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Xiaohan Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Li-Qiang Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
- Wuhan University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zuneng Lu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Liwei Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Yi Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
- Wuhan University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China.
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10
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Sołtys K, Tarczewska A, Bystranowska D. Modulation of biomolecular phase behavior by metal ions. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119567. [PMID: 37582439 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119567] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) appears to be a newly appreciated aspect of the cellular organization of biomolecules that leads to the formation of membraneless organelles (MLOs). MLOs generate distinct microenvironments where particular biomolecules are highly concentrated compared to those in the surrounding environment. Their thermodynamically driven formation is reversible, and their liquid nature allows them to fuse with each other. Dysfunctional biomolecular condensation is associated with human diseases. Pathological states of MLOs may originate from the mutation of proteins or may be induced by other factors. In most aberrant MLOs, transient interactions are replaced by stronger and more rigid interactions, preventing their dissolution, and causing their uncontrolled growth and dysfunction. For these reasons, there is great interest in identifying factors that modulate LLPS. In this review, we discuss an enigmatic and mostly unexplored aspect of this process, namely, the regulatory effects of metal ions on the phase behavior of biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Sołtys
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Aneta Tarczewska
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Dominika Bystranowska
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
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11
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Joshi A, Walimbe A, Avni A, Rai SK, Arora L, Sarkar S, Mukhopadhyay S. Single-molecule FRET unmasks structural subpopulations and crucial molecular events during FUS low-complexity domain phase separation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7331. [PMID: 37957147 PMCID: PMC10643395 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43225-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates formed via phase separation of proteins and nucleic acids are thought to be associated with a wide range of cellular functions and dysfunctions. We dissect critical molecular events associated with phase separation of an intrinsically disordered prion-like low-complexity domain of Fused in Sarcoma by performing single-molecule studies permitting us to access the wealth of molecular information that is skewed in conventional ensemble experiments. Our single-molecule FRET experiments reveal the coexistence of two conformationally distinct subpopulations in the monomeric form. Single-droplet single-molecule FRET studies coupled with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, picosecond time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy, and vibrational Raman spectroscopy indicate that structural unwinding switches intramolecular interactions into intermolecular contacts allowing the formation of a dynamic network within condensates. A disease-related mutation introduces enhanced structural plasticity engendering greater interchain interactions that can accelerate pathological aggregation. Our findings provide key mechanistic underpinnings of sequence-encoded dynamically-controlled structural unzipping resulting in biological phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Joshi
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Anuja Walimbe
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Anamika Avni
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Sandeep K Rai
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Lisha Arora
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Snehasis Sarkar
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Samrat Mukhopadhyay
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
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12
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do Amaral MJ, Mohapatra S, Passos AR, Lopes da Silva TS, Carvalho RS, da Silva Almeida M, Pinheiro AS, Wegmann S, Cordeiro Y. Copper drives prion protein phase separation and modulates aggregation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi7347. [PMID: 37922348 PMCID: PMC10624353 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi7347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are characterized by prion protein (PrP) transmissible aggregation and neurodegeneration, which has been linked to oxidative stress. The physiological function of PrP seems related to sequestering of redox-active Cu2+, and Cu2+ dyshomeostasis is observed in prion disease brain. It is unclear whether Cu2+ contributes to PrP aggregation, recently shown to be mediated by PrP condensation. This study indicates that Cu2+ promotes PrP condensation in live cells at the cell surface and in vitro through copartitioning. Molecularly, Cu2+ inhibited PrP β-structure and hydrophobic residues exposure. Oxidation, induced by H2O2, triggered liquid-to-solid transition of PrP:Cu2+ condensates and promoted amyloid-like PrP aggregation. In cells, overexpression of PrPC initially protected against Cu2+ cytotoxicity but led to PrPC aggregation upon extended copper exposure. Our data suggest that PrP condensates function as a buffer for copper that prevents copper toxicity but can transition into PrP aggregation at prolonged oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Juliani do Amaral
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Aline Ribeiro Passos
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcius da Silva Almeida
- Plataforma Avançada de Biomoléculas, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anderson Sá Pinheiro
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susanne Wegmann
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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13
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Li XN, Gao Y, Li Y, Yin JX, Yi CW, Yuan HY, Huang JJ, Wang LQ, Chen J, Liang Y. Arg177 and Asp159 from dog prion protein slow liquid-liquid phase separation and inhibit amyloid formation of human prion protein. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105329. [PMID: 37805139 PMCID: PMC10641668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105329] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of transmissible neurodegenerative diseases primarily caused by the conformational conversion of prion protein (PrP) from α-helix-dominant cellular prion protein (PrPC) to β-sheet-rich pathological aggregated form of PrPSc in many mammalian species. Dogs exhibit resistance to prion diseases, but the mechanism behind the phenomenon remains poorly understood. Compared with human PrP and mouse PrP, dog PrP has two unique amino acid residues, Arg177 and Asp159. Because PrPC contains a low-complexity and intrinsically disordered region in its N-terminal domain, it undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in vitro and forms protein condensates. However, little is known about whether these two unique residues modulate the formation of PrPC condensates. Here, using confocal microscopy, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assays, thioflavin T binding assays, and transmission electron microscopy, we report that Arg177 and Asp159 from the dog PrP slow the LLPS of full-length human PrPC, shifting the equilibrium phase boundary to higher protein concentrations and inhibit amyloid formation of the human protein. In sharp contrast, His177 and Asn159 from the human PrP enhance the LLPS of full-length dog PrPC, shifting the equilibrium phase boundary to lower protein concentrations, and promote fibril formation of the canid protein. Collectively, these results demonstrate how LLPS and amyloid formation of PrP are inhibited by a single residue Arg177 or Asp159 associated with prion disease resistance, and how LLPS and fibril formation of PrP are promoted by a single residue His177 or Asn159. Therefore, Arg177/His177 and Asp159/Asn159 are key residues in modulating PrPC liquid-phase condensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Ning Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin-Xu Yin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuan-Wei Yi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Han-Ye Yuan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun-Jie Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-Qiang Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Wuhan University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Wuhan University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
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14
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Mangiarotti A, Siri M, Tam NW, Zhao Z, Malacrida L, Dimova R. Biomolecular condensates modulate membrane lipid packing and hydration. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6081. [PMID: 37770422 PMCID: PMC10539446 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41709-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane wetting by biomolecular condensates recently emerged as a key phenomenon in cell biology, playing an important role in a diverse range of processes across different organisms. However, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind condensate formation and interaction with lipid membranes is still missing. To study this, we exploited the properties of the dyes ACDAN and LAURDAN as nano-environmental sensors in combination with phasor analysis of hyperspectral and lifetime imaging microscopy. Using glycinin as a model condensate-forming protein and giant vesicles as model membranes, we obtained vital information on the process of condensate formation and membrane wetting. Our results reveal that glycinin condensates display differences in water dynamics when changing the salinity of the medium as a consequence of rearrangements in the secondary structure of the protein. Remarkably, analysis of membrane-condensates interaction with protein as well as polymer condensates indicated a correlation between increased wetting affinity and enhanced lipid packing. This is demonstrated by a decrease in the dipolar relaxation of water across all membrane-condensate systems, suggesting a general mechanism to tune membrane packing by condensate wetting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Mangiarotti
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Macarena Siri
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nicky W Tam
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ziliang Zhao
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology e.V., Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Applied Optics and Biophysics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Max-Wien Platz 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Leonel Malacrida
- Departamento de Fisiopatología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Advanced Bioimaging Unit, Institut Pasteur of Montevideo and Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Rumiana Dimova
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
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15
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Patel CK, Rani C, Kumar R, Mukherjee TK. Macromolecular Crowding Promotes Re-entrant Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of Human Serum Transferrin and Prevents Surface-Induced Fibrillation. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:3917-3928. [PMID: 37503577 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Protein aggregation and inactivation upon surface immobilization are major limiting factors for analytical applications in biotechnology-related fields. Protein immobilization on solid surfaces often requires multi-step surface passivation, which is time-consuming and inefficient. Herein, we have discovered that biomolecular condensates of biologically active human serum transferrin (Tf) can effectively prevent surface-induced fibrillation and preserve the native-like conformation of phase-separated Tf over a period of 30 days. It has been observed that macromolecular crowding promotes homotypic liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of Tf through enthalpically driven multivalent hydrophobic interactions possibly via the involvement of its low-complexity domain (residues 3-20) containing hydrophobic amino acids. The present LLPS of Tf is a rare example of salt-mediated re-entrant phase separation in a broad range of salt concentrations (0-3 M) solely via the involvement of hydrophobic interactions. Notably, no liquid-to-solid-like phase transition has been observed over a period of 30 days, suggesting the intact conformational integrity of phase-separated Tf, as revealed from single droplet Raman, circular dichroism, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. More importantly, we discovered that the phase-separated condensates of Tf completely inhibit the surface-induced fibrillation of Tf, illustrating the protective role of these liquid-like condensates against denaturation and aggregation of biomolecules. The cell mimicking compact aqueous compartments of biomolecular condensates with a substantial amount of interfacial water preserve the structure and functionality of Tf. Our present study highlights an important functional aspect of biologically active protein condensates and may have wide-ranging implications in cell physiology and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmaya Kumar Patel
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Chanchal Rani
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Tushar Kanti Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, Madhya Pradesh, India
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16
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Silva JL, Foguel D, Ferreira VF, Vieira TCRG, Marques MA, Ferretti GDS, Outeiro TF, Cordeiro Y, de Oliveira GAP. Targeting Biomolecular Condensation and Protein Aggregation against Cancer. Chem Rev 2023. [PMID: 37379327 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates, membrane-less entities arising from liquid-liquid phase separation, hold dichotomous roles in health and disease. Alongside their physiological functions, these condensates can transition to a solid phase, producing amyloid-like structures implicated in degenerative diseases and cancer. This review thoroughly examines the dual nature of biomolecular condensates, spotlighting their role in cancer, particularly concerning the p53 tumor suppressor. Given that over half of the malignant tumors possess mutations in the TP53 gene, this topic carries profound implications for future cancer treatment strategies. Notably, p53 not only misfolds but also forms biomolecular condensates and aggregates analogous to other protein-based amyloids, thus significantly influencing cancer progression through loss-of-function, negative dominance, and gain-of-function pathways. The exact molecular mechanisms underpinning the gain-of-function in mutant p53 remain elusive. However, cofactors like nucleic acids and glycosaminoglycans are known to be critical players in this intersection between diseases. Importantly, we reveal that molecules capable of inhibiting mutant p53 aggregation can curtail tumor proliferation and migration. Hence, targeting phase transitions to solid-like amorphous and amyloid-like states of mutant p53 offers a promising direction for innovative cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerson L Silva
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Debora Foguel
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Vitor F Ferreira
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Tuane C R G Vieira
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Mayra A Marques
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Giulia D S Ferretti
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Tiago F Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K
- Scientific employee with an honorary contract at Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Guilherme A P de Oliveira
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
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17
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Niu X, Zhang L, Wu Y, Zong Z, Wang B, Liu J, Zhang L, Zhou F. Biomolecular condensates: Formation mechanisms, biological functions, and therapeutic targets. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e223. [PMID: 36875159 PMCID: PMC9974629 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are cellular structures composed of membraneless assemblies comprising proteins or nucleic acids. The formation of these condensates requires components to change from a state of solubility separation from the surrounding environment by undergoing phase transition and condensation. Over the past decade, it has become widely appreciated that biomolecular condensates are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells and play a vital role in physiological and pathological processes. These condensates may provide promising targets for the clinic research. Recently, a series of pathological and physiological processes have been found associated with the dysfunction of condensates, and a range of targets and methods have been demonstrated to modulate the formation of these condensates. A more extensive description of biomolecular condensates is urgently needed for the development of novel therapies. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of biomolecular condensates and the molecular mechanisms of their formation. Moreover, we reviewed the functions of condensates and therapeutic targets for diseases. We further highlighted the available regulatory targets and methods, discussed the significance and challenges of targeting these condensates. Reviewing the latest developments in biomolecular condensate research could be essential in translating our current knowledge on the use of condensates for clinical therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Niu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China.,MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network Life Sciences Institute Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou China
| | - Yuchen Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First School of Medicine Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou China
| | - Zhi Zong
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network Life Sciences Institute Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Bin Wang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network Life Sciences Institute Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Jisheng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Long Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network Life Sciences Institute Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science Soochow University Suzhou China
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18
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Heterotypic electrostatic interactions control complex phase separation of tau and prion into multiphasic condensates and co-aggregates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2216338120. [PMID: 36595668 PMCID: PMC9986828 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2216338120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates formed via phase separation of proteins and nucleic acids are thought to perform a wide range of critical cellular functions by maintaining spatiotemporal regulation and organizing intracellular biochemistry. However, aberrant phase transitions are implicated in a multitude of human diseases. Here, we demonstrate that two neuronal proteins, namely tau and prion, undergo complex coacervation driven by domain-specific electrostatic interactions to yield highly dynamic, mesoscopic liquid-like droplets. The acidic N-terminal segment of tau interacts electrostatically with the polybasic N-terminal intrinsically disordered segment of the prion protein (PrP). We employed a unique combination of time-resolved tools that encompass several orders of magnitude of timescales ranging from nanoseconds to seconds. These studies unveil an intriguing symphony of molecular events associated with the formation of heterotypic condensates comprising ephemeral, domain-specific, short-range electrostatic nanoclusters. Our results reveal that these heterotypic condensates can be tuned by RNA in a stoichiometry-dependent manner resulting in reversible, multiphasic, immiscible, and ternary condensates of different morphologies ranging from core-shell to nested droplets. This ternary system exhibits a typical three-regime phase behavior reminiscent of other membraneless organelles including nucleolar condensates. We also show that upon aging, tau:PrP droplets gradually convert into solid-like co-assemblies by sequestration of persistent intermolecular interactions. Our vibrational Raman results in conjunction with atomic force microscopy and multi-color fluorescence imaging reveal the presence of amorphous and amyloid-like co-aggregates upon maturation. Our findings provide mechanistic underpinnings of overlapping neuropathology involving tau and PrP and highlight a broader biological role of complex phase transitions in physiology and disease.
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19
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Das D, Mukhopadhyay S. Molecular Origin of Internal Friction in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:3470-3480. [PMID: 36346711 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Protein folding and dynamics are controlled by an interplay of thermal and viscosity effects. The effect of viscous drag through the solvent molecules is described by the classic Kramers theory in the high friction limit, which considers the dampening of the reactant molecules in the solution and quantifies the dependence of the reaction rate on the frictional drag. In addition to the external energy dissipation originating from the surrounding solvent molecules, there is an additional mode of internal energy dissipative force operative within the polypeptide chain reflecting the internal resistance of the chain to its conformational alterations. This dry, solvent-independent intrinsic frictional drag is termed internal friction. In the case of natively folded proteins, the physical origin of internal friction is primarily attributed to the intrachain interactions or other nonnative interactions in their compact states. However, the molecular origin of internal friction in intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) remains elusive.In this Account, we address this fundamental issue: what are the principal drivers of viscosity-independent (dry) friction in highly solvated, expanded, conformationally flexible, rapidly fluctuating IDPs that do not possess persistent intrachain interactions? IDPs exhibit diffusive conformational dynamics that is predominantly dominated by the segmental motion of the backbone arising due to the dihedral rotations in the Ramachandran Φ-Ψ space. The physical origin of friction in a complex biopolymeric system such as IDPs can be described by classic polymer models, namely, Rouse/Zimm models with internal friction. These one-dimensional models do not invoke torsional fluctuation components. Kuhn's classic description includes the connection between internal friction and microscopic dihedral hopping. Based on our time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy results, we describe that the sequence-dependent, collective, short-range backbone dihedral rotations govern localized internal friction in an archetypal IDP, namely, α-synuclein. The highly sensitive, residue-specific fluorescence depolarization kinetics offers a potent methodology to characterize and quantify the directional decorrelation engendered due to the short-range dihedral relaxation of the polypeptide backbone in the dihedral space. We utilized this characteristic relaxation time scale as our dynamic readout to quantify the site-specific frictional component. Our linear viscosity-dependent model of torsional relaxation time scale furnished a finite nonzero time constant at the zero solvent viscosity representing the solvent-independent internal friction. These results unveil the effect of the degree of dihedral restraining parameter on the internal friction component by showing that a restrained proline residue imparts higher torsional stiffness in the chain segments and, therefore, exhibits higher internal friction. This Account sheds light on the molecular underpinning of the sequence-specific internal friction in IDPs and will be of interest to unmask the role of internal friction in a diverse range of biomolecular processes involving binding-induced folding, allosteric interaction, protein misfolding and aggregation, and biomolecular condensation via phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debapriya Das
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India.,Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Samrat Mukhopadhyay
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India.,Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
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20
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Investigating how intrinsically disordered regions contribute to protein function using HDX-MS. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1607-1617. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20220206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
A large amount of the human proteome is composed of highly dynamic regions that do not adopt a single static conformation. These regions are defined as intrinsically disordered, and they are found in a third of all eukaryotic proteins. They play instrumental roles in many aspects of protein signaling, but can be challenging to characterize by biophysical methods. Intriguingly, many of these regions can adopt stable secondary structure upon interaction with a variety of binding partners, including proteins, lipids, and ligands. This review will discuss the application of Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) as a powerful biophysical tool that is particularly well suited for structural and functional characterization of intrinsically disordered regions in proteins. A focus will be on the theory of hydrogen exchange, and its practical application to identify disordered regions, as well as characterize how they participate in protein–protein and protein–membrane interfaces. A particular emphasis will be on how HDX-MS data can be presented specifically tailored for analysis of intrinsically disordered regions, as well as the technical aspects that are critical to consider when designing HDX-MS experiments for proteins containing intrinsically disordered regions.
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21
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Protein interactions: anything new? Essays Biochem 2022; 66:821-830. [PMID: 36416856 PMCID: PMC9760424 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
How do proteins interact in the cellular environment? Which interactions stabilize liquid-liquid phase separated condensates? Are the concepts, which have been developed for specific protein complexes also applicable to higher-order assemblies? Recent discoveries prompt for a universal framework for protein interactions, which can be applied across the scales of protein communities. Here, we discuss how our views on protein interactions have evolved from rigid structures to conformational ensembles of proteins and discuss the open problems, in particular related to biomolecular condensates. Protein interactions have evolved to follow changes in the cellular environment, which manifests in multiple modes of interactions between the same partners. Such cellular context-dependence requires multiplicity of binding modes (MBM) by sampling multiple minima of the interaction energy landscape. We demonstrate that the energy landscape framework of protein folding can be applied to explain this phenomenon, opening a perspective toward a physics-based, universal model for cellular protein behaviors.
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22
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Tan W, Cheng S, Li Y, Li XY, Lu N, Sun J, Tang G, Yang Y, Cai K, Li X, Ou X, Gao X, Zhao GP, Childers WS, Zhao W. Phase separation modulates the assembly and dynamics of a polarity-related scaffold-signaling hub. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7181. [PMID: 36418326 PMCID: PMC9684454 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35000-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Asymmetric cell division (ACD) produces morphologically and behaviorally distinct cells and is the primary way to generate cell diversity. In the model bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, the polarization of distinct scaffold-signaling hubs at the swarmer and stalked cell poles constitutes the basis of ACD. However, mechanisms involved in the formation of these hubs remain elusive. Here, we show that a swarmer-cell-pole scaffold, PodJ, forms biomolecular condensates both in vitro and in living cells via phase separation. The coiled-coil 4-6 and the intrinsically disordered regions are the primary domains that contribute to biomolecular condensate generation and signaling protein recruitment in PodJ. Moreover, a negative regulation of PodJ phase separation by the stalked-cell-pole scaffold protein SpmX is revealed. SpmX impedes PodJ cell-pole accumulation and affects its recruitment ability. Together, by modulating the assembly and dynamics of scaffold-signaling hubs, phase separation may serve as a general biophysical mechanism that underlies the regulation of ACD in bacteria and other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tan
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Sihua Cheng
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Yingying Li
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Xiao-Yang Li
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.256922.80000 0000 9139 560XDepartment of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 China
| | - Ning Lu
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Jingxian Sun
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Guiyue Tang
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Yujiao Yang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Kezhu Cai
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Xuefei Li
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Xijun Ou
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Xiang Gao
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Guo-Ping Zhao
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Lab of Genetic Engineering & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China
| | - W. Seth Childers
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 USA
| | - Wei Zhao
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
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23
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Xiang YX, Shan Y, Lei QL, Ren CL, Ma YQ. Dynamics of protein condensates in weak-binding regime. Phys Rev E 2022; 106:044403. [PMID: 36397514 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.106.044403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Weak complementary interactions between proteins and nucleic acids are the main driving forces of intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation. The sticker-spacer model has emerged as a unifying principle for understanding the phase behavior of these multivalent molecules. It remains elusive how specific interactions mediated by stickers contribute to the rheological properties of the liquid condensates. Previous studies have revealed that for strong binding strength ɛ_{b}, the bulk diffusivity D depends on the effective bond lifetime τ, viz., D∝τ^{-1}. Consequently, equal concentrations of the complementary stickers induce a slow down in the dynamics of the condensates D∝e^{-1.5ɛ_{b}}. However, for weak-binding strength, it is expected that the resulting condensates are dynamic, loose network liquids rather than kinetically arrested, compact clusters. We develop a mean-field theory using the thermodynamics of the associative polymers and perform molecular-dynamics simulations based on the sticker-spacer model to study the controlling factors in the structure and dynamics of such condensates in the weak-binding regime. Through scaling analysis, we delineate how the free sticker fraction W_{f} and the bulk diffusivity D decrease with increasing binding energy and find that the internal dynamics of such network liquids are controlled by the free sticker fraction D∝W_{f}∝e^{-0.5ɛ_{b}} rather than the effective bond lifetime. Referred to as the free-sticker-dominated diffusivity, the microscopic slowdown due to a gradual loss of the free stickers affects the viscosity of the condensates as well, with the scaling of the zero-shear viscosity η∝e^{0.5ɛ_{b}}. Therefore, the way of controlling the structure, diffusivity, and viscosity of the condensates through the binding energy can be tested experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Xin Xiang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yue Shan
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Qun-Li Lei
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Chun-Lai Ren
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Ma
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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24
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Lin Z, Li Y, Hang Y, Wang C, Liu B, Li J, Yin L, Jiang X, Du X, Qiao Z, Zhu F, Zhang Z, Zhang Q, Zhou Z. Tuning the Size of Large Dense-Core Vesicles and Quantal Neurotransmitter Release via Secretogranin II Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2202263. [PMID: 35896896 PMCID: PMC9507364 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) are larger in volume than synaptic vesicles, and are filled with multiple neuropeptides, hormones, and neurotransmitters that participate in various physiological processes. However, little is known about the mechanism determining the size of LDCVs. Here, it is reported that secretogranin II (SgII), a vesicle matrix protein, contributes to LDCV size regulation through its liquid-liquid phase separation in neuroendocrine cells. First, SgII undergoes pH-dependent polymerization and the polymerized SgII forms phase droplets with Ca2+ in vitro and in vivo. Further, the Ca2+ -induced SgII droplets recruit reconstituted bio-lipids, mimicking the LDCVs biogenesis. In addition, SgII knockdown leads to significant decrease of the quantal neurotransmitter release by affecting LDCV size, which is differently rescued by SgII truncations with different degrees of phase separation. In conclusion, it is shown that SgII is a unique intravesicular matrix protein undergoing liquid-liquid phase separation, and present novel insights into how SgII determines LDCV size and the quantal neurotransmitter release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Yinglin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Yuqi Hang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Changhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Lili Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Xiaohan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Xingyu Du
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Zhongjun Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Feipeng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Quanfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Zhuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular MedicineInstitute of Molecular MedicineCollege of Future TechnologyPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and PKU‐IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
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25
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Kim CG, Hwang DE, Kumar R, Chung M, Eom YG, Kim H, Koo DH, Choi JM. Recent trends in studies of biomolecular phase separation. BMB Rep 2022. [PMID: 35880435 PMCID: PMC9442351 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022.55.8.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular phase separation has recently attracted broad in-terest, due to its role in the spatiotemporal compartmentalization of living cells. It governs the formation, regulation, and dissociation of biomolecular condensates, which play multiple roles in vivo, from activating specific biochemical reactions to organizing chromatin. Interestingly, biomolecular phase separation seems to be a mainly passive process, which can be ex-plained by relatively simple physical principles and reproduced in vitro with a minimal set of components. This Mini review focuses on our current understanding of the fundamental principles of biomolecular phase separation and the recent progress in the research on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Geun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Da-Eun Hwang
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Rajeev Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Min Chung
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Yu-Gon Eom
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Hyunji Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Da-Hyun Koo
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Jeong-Mo Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
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26
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Maity H, Baidya L, Reddy G. Salt-Induced Transitions in the Conformational Ensembles of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:5959-5971. [PMID: 35944496 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c03476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Salts modulate the behavior of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and influence the formation of membraneless organelles through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). In low ionic strength solutions, IDP conformations are perturbed by the screening of electrostatic interactions, independent of the salt identity. In this regime, insight into the IDP behavior can be obtained using the theory for salt-induced transitions in charged polymers. However, salt-specific interactions with the charged and uncharged residues, known as the Hofmeister effect, influence IDP behavior in high ionic strength solutions. There is a lack of reliable theoretical models in high salt concentration regimes to predict the salt effect on IDPs. We propose a simulation methodology using a coarse-grained IDP model and experimentally measured water to salt solution transfer free energies of various chemical groups that allowed us to study the salt-specific transitions induced in the IDPs conformational ensemble. We probed the effect of three different monovalent salts on five IDPs belonging to various polymer classes based on charged residue content. We demonstrate that all of the IDPs of different polymer classes behave as self-avoiding walks (SAWs) at physiological salt concentration. In high salt concentrations, the transitions observed in the IDP conformational ensembles are dependent on the salt used and the IDP sequence and composition. Changing the anion with the cation fixed can result in the IDP transition from a SAW-like behavior to a collapsed globule. An important implication of these results is that a suitable salt can be identified to induce condensation of an IDP through LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiranmay Maity
- Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India 560012
| | - Lipika Baidya
- Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India 560012
| | - Govardhan Reddy
- Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India 560012
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27
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Homodimeric complexes of the 90-231 human prion: a multilayered computational study based on FMO/GRID-DRY approach. J Mol Model 2022; 28:241. [PMID: 35918494 PMCID: PMC9345805 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05244-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The molecular interaction properties and aggregation capabilities disclosed by PrP-E200K, a pathogenic mutant of the human prion protein, were investigated in detail using multilayered computational approaches. In a previous work, we reported that the electrostatic complementarity between region1 (negative) and region3 (positive) has been assumed to lead to a head-to tail interaction between 120 and 231 PrP-E200K units and to initiation of the aggregation process. In this work, we extended the PrP-E200K structure by including the unstructured 90–120 segment which was found to assume different conformations. Plausible models of 90–231 PrP-E200K dimers were calculated and analyzed in depth to identify the nature of the involved protein–protein interactions. The unstructured 90–120 segment was found to extend the positively charged region3 involved in the association of PrP-E200K units which resulted to be driven by hydrophobic interactions. The combination of molecular dynamics, protein–protein docking, grid-based mapping, and fragment molecular orbital approaches allowed us to provide a plausible mechanism of the early state of 90–231 PrP-E200K aggregation, considered a preliminary step of amyloid conversion.
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28
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Kim CG, Hwang DE, Kumar R, Chung M, Eom YG, Kim H, Koo DH, Choi JM. Recent trends in studies of biomolecular phase separation. BMB Rep 2022; 55:363-369. [PMID: 35880435 PMCID: PMC9442351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular phase separation has recently attracted broad interest, due to its role in the spatiotemporal compartmentalization of living cells. It governs the formation, regulation, and dissociation of biomolecular condensates, which play multiple roles in vivo, from activating specific biochemical reactions to organizing chromatin. Interestingly, biomolecular phase separation seems to be a mainly passive process, which can be explained by relatively simple physical principles and reproduced in vitro with a minimal set of components. This Mini review focuses on our current understanding of the fundamental principles of biomolecular phase separation and the recent progress in the research on this topic. [BMB Reports 2022; 55(8): 363-369].
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Geun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Da-Eun Hwang
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Rajeev Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Min Chung
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Yu-Gon Eom
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Hyunji Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Da-Hyun Koo
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Jeong-Mo Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
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29
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Avni A, Joshi A, Walimbe A, Pattanashetty SG, Mukhopadhyay S. Single-droplet surface-enhanced Raman scattering decodes the molecular determinants of liquid-liquid phase separation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4378. [PMID: 35902591 PMCID: PMC9334365 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32143-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are involved in a myriad of critical cellular functions and debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. Elucidating the role of intrinsic disorder and conformational heterogeneity of intrinsically disordered proteins/regions (IDPs/IDRs) in these phase-separated membrane-less organelles is crucial to understanding the mechanism of formation and regulation of biomolecular condensates. Here we introduce a unique single-droplet surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) methodology that utilizes surface-engineered, plasmonic, metal nanoparticles to unveil the inner workings of mesoscopic liquid droplets of Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) in the absence and presence of RNA. These highly sensitive measurements offer unprecedented sensitivity to capture the crucial interactions, conformational heterogeneity, and structural distributions within the condensed phase in a droplet-by-droplet manner. Such an ultra-sensitive single-droplet vibrational methodology can serve as a potent tool to decipher the key molecular drivers of biological phase transitions of a wide range of biomolecular condensates involved in physiology and disease. The authors introduce a unique single-droplet surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) methodology that illuminates a wealth of molecular information within the mesoscopic liquid condensed phase of Fused in Sarcoma in the absence and presence of RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Avni
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India.,Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Ashish Joshi
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Anuja Walimbe
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Swastik G Pattanashetty
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Samrat Mukhopadhyay
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India. .,Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India.
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30
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Garg DK, Bhat R. Modulation of assembly of TDP-43 low-complexity domain by heparin: From droplets to amyloid fibrils. Biophys J 2022; 121:2568-2582. [PMID: 35644946 PMCID: PMC9300664 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is an RNA-regulating protein that carries out many cellular functions through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). The LLPS of TDP-43 is mediated by its C-terminal low-complexity domain (TDP43-LCD) corresponding to the region 267-414. In neurodegenerative disorders amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia, pathological inclusions of the TDP-43 are found that are rich in the C-terminal fragments of ∼25 and ∼35 kDa, of which TDP43-LCD is a part. Thus, understanding the assembly process of TDP43-LCD is essential, given its involvement in the formation of both functional liquid-like assemblies and solid- or gel-like pathological aggregates. Here, we show that the solution pH and salt modulate TDP43-LCD LLPS. A gradual reduction in the pH below its isoelectric point of 9.8 results in a monotonic decrease of TDP43-LCD LLPS due to charge-charge repulsion between monomers, while at pH 6 and below no LLPS was observed. The addition of heparin to TDP43-LCD solution at pH 6, at a 1:2 heparin-to-TDP43-LCD molar ratio, promotes TDP43-LCD LLPS, while at higher concentration, it disrupts LLPS through a reentrant phase transition. Upon incubation at pH 6, TDP43-LCD undergoes gelation without phase separation. However, in the reentrant regime in the presence of a high heparin concentration, it forms thick amyloid aggregates that are significantly more SDS resistant than the gel. The results indicate that the material nature of the TDP43-LCD assembly products can be modulated by heparin which is significant in the context of liquid-to-solid phase transition observed in TDP-43 proteinopathies. Our findings are also crucial in relation to similar transitions that could occur due to alteration in the molecular level interactions among various multivalent biomolecules involving other LCDs and RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajiv Bhat
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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31
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Yokosawa K, Kajimoto S, Shibata D, Kuroi K, Konno T, Nakabayashi T. Concentration Quantification of the Low-Complexity Domain of Fused in Sarcoma inside a Single Droplet and Effects of Solution Parameters. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:5692-5697. [PMID: 35709358 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c00962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is an important phenomenon in biology, and it is desirable to develop quantitative methods to analyze protein droplets generated by LLPS. This study quantified the change in protein concentration in a droplet in label-free and single-droplet conditions using Raman imaging and the Raman band of water as an intensity standard. Small changes in the protein concentration with variations in pH and salt concentration were observed, and it was shown that the concentration in the droplet decreases as the conditions become less favorable for droplet formation. The effect of exposure to 1,6-hexanediol was also examined, and this additive was found to decrease the protein concentration in the droplet. A model can be proposed in which the addition of 1,6-hexanediol reduces the protein concentration in the droplet, and the droplet disappears when the concentration falls below a certain threshold value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yokosawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Shinji Kajimoto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- JST PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Daiki Shibata
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Kunisato Kuroi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-8586, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Konno
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Takakazu Nakabayashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
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32
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Spatiotemporal modulations in heterotypic condensates of prion and α-synuclein control phase transitions and amyloid conversion. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1154. [PMID: 35241680 PMCID: PMC8894376 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28797-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensation via liquid-liquid phase separation of proteins and nucleic acids is associated with a range of critical cellular functions and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we demonstrate that complex coacervation of the prion protein and α-synuclein within narrow stoichiometry results in the formation of highly dynamic, reversible, thermo-responsive liquid droplets via domain-specific electrostatic interactions between the positively-charged intrinsically disordered N-terminal segment of prion and the acidic C-terminal tail of α-synuclein. The addition of RNA to these coacervates yields multiphasic, vesicle-like, hollow condensates. Picosecond time-resolved measurements revealed the presence of transient electrostatic nanoclusters that are stable on the nanosecond timescale and can undergo breaking-and-making of interactions on slower timescales giving rise to a liquid-like behavior in the mesoscopic regime. The liquid-to-solid transition drives a rapid conversion of complex coacervates into heterotypic amyloids. Our results suggest that synergistic prion-α-synuclein interactions within condensates provide mechanistic underpinnings of their physiological role and overlapping neuropathological features. The authors show that prion protein and α-synuclein undergo phase separation through domain-specific electrostatic interactions. These complex coacervates possess electrostatic nanoclusters and can convert into multiphasic condensates and amyloids.
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33
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do Amaral MJ, Freire MHO, Almeida MS, Pinheiro AS, Cordeiro Y. Phase separation of the mammalian prion protein: physiological and pathological perspectives. J Neurochem 2022. [PMID: 35149997 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal phase transitions have been implicated in the occurrence of proteinopathies. Disordered proteins with nucleic acid binding ability drive the formation of reversible micron-sized condensates capable of controlling nucleic acid processing/transport. This mechanism, achieved via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), underlies the formation of long-studied membraneless organelles (e.g., nucleolus) and various transient condensates formed by driver proteins. The prion protein (PrP) is not a classical nucleic acid-binding protein. However, it binds nucleic acids with high affinity, undergoes nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, contains a long intrinsically disordered region rich in glycines and evenly spaced aromatic residues, among other biochemical/biophysical properties of bona fide drivers of phase transitions. Because of this, our group and others have characterized LLPS of recombinant PrP. In vitro phase separation of PrP is modulated by nucleic acid aptamers, and, depending on the aptamer conformation, the liquid droplets evolve to solid-like species. Herein we discuss recent studies and previous evidence supporting PrP phase transitions. We focus on the central role of LLPS related to PrP physiology and pathology, with a special emphasis on the interaction of PrP with different ligands, such as proteins and nucleic acids, which can play a role in prion disease pathogenesis. Finally, we comment on therapeutic strategies directed at the nonfunctional phase separation that could potentially tackle prion diseases or other protein misfolding disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana J do Amaral
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | - Anderson S Pinheiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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34
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Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Prion Protein Phase Separation in Cancer Multidrug Resistance. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27030705. [PMID: 35163973 PMCID: PMC8839844 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The unique ability to adapt and thrive in inhospitable, stressful tumor microenvironments (TME) also renders cancer cells resistant to traditional chemotherapeutic treatments and/or novel pharmaceuticals. Cancer cells exhibit extensive metabolic alterations involving hypoxia, accelerated glycolysis, oxidative stress, and increased extracellular ATP that may activate ancient, conserved prion adaptive response strategies that exacerbate multidrug resistance (MDR) by exploiting cellular stress to increase cancer metastatic potential and stemness, balance proliferation and differentiation, and amplify resistance to apoptosis. The regulation of prions in MDR is further complicated by important, putative physiological functions of ligand-binding and signal transduction. Melatonin is capable of both enhancing physiological functions and inhibiting oncogenic properties of prion proteins. Through regulation of phase separation of the prion N-terminal domain which targets and interacts with lipid rafts, melatonin may prevent conformational changes that can result in aggregation and/or conversion to pathological, infectious isoforms. As a cancer therapy adjuvant, melatonin could modulate TME oxidative stress levels and hypoxia, reverse pH gradient changes, reduce lipid peroxidation, and protect lipid raft compositions to suppress prion-mediated, non-Mendelian, heritable, but often reversible epigenetic adaptations that facilitate cancer heterogeneity, stemness, metastasis, and drug resistance. This review examines some of the mechanisms that may balance physiological and pathological effects of prions and prion-like proteins achieved through the synergistic use of melatonin to ameliorate MDR, which remains a challenge in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (R.J.R.)
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (R.J.R.)
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Prion Protein Biology Through the Lens of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation. J Mol Biol 2021; 434:167368. [PMID: 34808226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Conformational conversion of the α-helix-rich cellular prion protein into the misfolded, β-rich, aggregated, scrapie form underlies the molecular basis of prion diseases that represent a class of invariably fatal, untreatable, and transmissible neurodegenerative diseases. However, despite the extensive and rigorous research, there is a significant gap in the understanding of molecular mechanisms that contribute to prion pathogenesis. In this review, we describe the historical perspective of the development of the prion concept and the current state of knowledge of prion biology including structural, molecular, and cellular aspects of the prion protein. We then summarize the putative functional role of the N-terminal intrinsically disordered segment of the prion protein. We next describe the ongoing efforts in elucidating the prion phase behavior and the emerging role of liquid-liquid phase separation that can have potential functional relevance and can offer an alternate non-canonical pathway involving conformational conversion into a disease-associated form. We also attempt to shed light on the evolutionary perspective of the prion protein highlighting the potential role of intrinsic disorder in prion protein biology and summarize a few important questions associated with the phase transitions of the prion protein. Delving deeper into these key aspects can pave the way for a detailed understanding of the critical molecular determinants of the prion phase transition and its relevance to physiology and neurodegenerative diseases.
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