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Georges T, Ovens JS, Bryce DL. Electrostatic Surface Potentials and Chalcogen-Bonding Motifs of Substituted 2,1,3-Benzoselenadiazoles Probed via 77Se Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202402254. [PMID: 38958873 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202402254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Chalcogen bonds (ChB) are moderately strong, directional, and specific non-covalent interactions that have garnered substantial interest over the last decades. Specifically, the presence of two σ-holes offers great potential for crystal engineering, catalysis, biochemistry, and molecular sensing. However, ChB applications are currently hampered by a lack of methods to characterize and control chalcogen bonds. Here, we report on the influence of various substituents (halogens, cyano, and methyl groups) on the observed self-complementary ChB networks of 2,1,3-benzoselenadiazoles. From molecular electrostatic potential calculations, we show that the electrostatic surface potentials (ESP) of the σ-holes on selenium are largely influenced by the electron-withdrawing character of these substituents. Structural analyses via X-ray diffraction reveal a variety of ChB geometries and binding modes that are rationalized via the computed ESP maps, although the structure of 5,6-dimethyl-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole also demonstrates the influence of steric interactions. 77Se solid-state magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, in particular the analysis of the selenium chemical shift tensors, is found to be an effective probe able to characterize both structural and electrostatic features of these self-complementary ChB systems. We find a positive correlation between the value of the ESP maxima at the σ-holes and the experimentally measured 77Se isotropic chemical shift, while the skew of the chemical shift tensor is established as a metric which is reflective of the ChB binding motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Georges
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, and Nexus for Quantum Technologies, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie Curie Private Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey S Ovens
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, and Nexus for Quantum Technologies, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie Curie Private Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Ontario, Canada
| | - David L Bryce
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, and Nexus for Quantum Technologies, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie Curie Private Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Ontario, Canada
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2
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Ahmed R, Liang M, Hudson RP, Rangadurai AK, Huang SK, Forman-Kay JD, Kay LE. Atomic resolution map of the solvent interactions driving SOD1 unfolding in CAPRIN1 condensates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2408554121. [PMID: 39172789 PMCID: PMC11363255 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2408554121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecules can be sequestered into membrane-less compartments, referred to as biomolecular condensates. Experimental and computational methods have helped define the physical-chemical properties of condensates. Less is known about how the high macromolecule concentrations in condensed phases contribute "solvent" interactions that can remodel the free-energy landscape of other condensate-resident proteins, altering thermally accessible conformations and, in turn, modulating function. Here, we use solution NMR spectroscopy to obtain atomic resolution insights into the interactions between the immature form of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), which can mislocalize and aggregate in stress granules, and the RNA-binding protein CAPRIN1, a component of stress granules. NMR studies of CAPRIN1:SOD1 interactions, focused on both unfolded and folded SOD1 states in mixed phase and demixed CAPRIN1-based condensates, establish that CAPRIN1 shifts the SOD1 folding equilibrium toward the unfolded state through preferential interactions with the unfolded ensemble, with little change to the structure of the folded conformation. Key contacts between CAPRIN1 and the H80-H120 region of unfolded SOD1 are identified, as well as SOD1 interaction sites near both the arginine-rich and aromatic-rich regions of CAPRIN1. Unfolding of immature SOD1 in the CAPRIN1 condensed phase is shown to be coupled to aggregation, while a more stable zinc-bound, dimeric form of SOD1 is less susceptible to unfolding when solvated by CAPRIN1. Our work underscores the impact of the condensate solvent environment on the conformational states of resident proteins and supports the hypothesis that ALS mutations that decrease metal binding or dimerization function as drivers of aggregation in condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashik Ahmed
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Mingyang Liang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Rhea P. Hudson
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Atul K. Rangadurai
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Shuya Kate Huang
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Julie D. Forman-Kay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Lewis E. Kay
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ONM5G 0A4, Canada
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3
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Yu B, Bolik-Coulon N, Rangadurai AK, Kay LE, Iwahara J. Gadolinium-Based NMR Spin Relaxation Measurements of Near-Surface Electrostatic Potentials of Biomolecules. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:20788-20801. [PMID: 39028837 PMCID: PMC11295196 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c04433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
NMR spectroscopy is an important tool for the measurement of the electrostatic properties of biomolecules. To this point, paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs) of 1H nuclei arising from nitroxide cosolutes in biomolecular solutions have been used to measure effective near-surface electrostatic potentials (ϕENS) of proteins and nucleic acids. Here, we present a gadolinium (Gd)-based NMR method, exploiting Gd chelates with different net charges, for measuring ϕENS values and demonstrate its utility through applications to a number of biomolecular systems. The use of Gd-based cosolutes offers several advantages over nitroxides for ϕENS measurements. First, unlike nitroxide compounds, Gd chelates enable electrostatic potential measurements on oxidation-sensitive proteins that require reducing agents. Second, the large electron spin quantum number of Gd (7/2) results in notably larger PREs for Gd chelates when used at the same concentrations as nitroxide radicals. Thus, it is possible to measure ϕENS values exclusively from + and - charged compounds even for highly charged biomolecules, avoiding the use of neutral cosolutes that, as we further establish here, limits the accuracy of the measured electrostatic potentials. In addition, the smaller concentrations of cosolutes required minimize potential binding to sites on macromolecules. Fourth, the closer proximity of the paramagnetic center and charged groups within Gd chelates, in comparison to the corresponding nitroxide compounds, enables more accurate predictions of ϕENS potentials for cross-validation of the experimental results. The Gd-based method described here, thus, broadens the applicability of studies of biomolecular electrostatics using solution NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binhan Yu
- Department
of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural
Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University
of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-1068, United States
| | - Nicolas Bolik-Coulon
- Department
of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Atul K. Rangadurai
- Department
of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Program
in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick
Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Lewis E. Kay
- Department
of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Program
in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick
Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Junji Iwahara
- Department
of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural
Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University
of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-1068, United States
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4
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Wilson CB, Lee M, Yau WM, Tycko R. Conformations of a Low-Complexity Protein in Homogeneous and Phase-Separated Frozen Solutions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.25.605144. [PMID: 39372747 PMCID: PMC11451737 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.25.605144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
Solutions of the intrinsically disordered, low-complexity domain of the FUS protein (FUS-LC) undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) below temperatures T LLPS in the 20-40° C range. To investigate whether local conformational distributions are detectably different in the homogeneous and phase-separated states of FUS-LC, we performed solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) measurements on solutions that were frozen on sub-millisecond time scales after equilibration at temperatures well above (50° C) or well below (4° C) T LLPS . Measurements were performed at 25 K with signal enhancements from dynamic nuclear polarization. Crosspeak patterns in two-dimensional (2D) ssNMR spectra of rapidly frozen solutions in which FUS-LC was uniformly 15 N, 13 C-labeled were found to be nearly identical for the two states. Similar results were obtained for solutions in which FUS-LC was labeled only at Thr, Tyr, and Gly residues, as well as solutions of a FUS construct in which five specific residues were labeled by ligation of synthetic and recombinant fragments. These experiments show that local conformational distributions are nearly the same in the homogeneous and phase-separated solutions, despite the much greater protein concentrations and more abundant intermolecular interactions within phase-separated, protein-rich "droplets". Comparison of the experimental results with simulations of the sensitivity of 2D crosspeak patterns to an enhanced population of β-strand-like conformations suggests that changes in conformational distributions are no larger than 5-10%. Statement of Significance Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in solutions of proteins with intrinsically disordered domains has attracted recent attention because of its relevance to multiple biological processes and its inherent interest from the standpoint of protein biophysics. The high protein concentrations and abundant intermolecular interactions within protein-rich, phase-separated "droplets" suggests that conformational distributions of intrinsically disordered proteins may differ in homogeneous and phase-separated solutions. To investigate whether detectable differences exist, we performed experiments on the low-complexity domain of the FUS protein (FUS-LC) in which FUS-LC solutions were first equilibrated at temperatures well above or well below their LLPS transition temperatures, then rapidly frozen and examined at very low temperatures by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy. The ssNMR data for homogeneous and phase-separated frozen solutions of FUS-LC were found to be nearly identical, showing that LLPS is not accompanied by substantial changes in the local conformational distributions of this intrinsically disordered protein.
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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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6
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Iwahara J. Transient helices with functional roles. Biophys J 2024; 123:1314-1315. [PMID: 38308437 PMCID: PMC11163282 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Junji Iwahara
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
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7
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Zhang Y, Prasad R, Su S, Lee D, Zhou HX. Amino Acid-Dependent Material Properties of Tetrapeptide Condensates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.594233. [PMID: 38798623 PMCID: PMC11118382 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.594233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Condensates formed by intrinsically disordered proteins mediate a myriad of cellular processes and are linked to pathological conditions including neurodegeneration. Rules of how different types of amino acids (e.g., π-π pairs) dictate the physical properties of biomolecular condensates are emerging, but our understanding of the roles of different amino acids is far from complete. Here we studied condensates formed by tetrapeptides of the form XXssXX, where X is an amino acid and ss represents a disulfide bond along the backbone. Eight peptides form four types of condensates at different concentrations and pH values: droplets (X = F, L, M, P, V, A); amorphous dense liquids (X = L, M, P, V, A); amorphous aggregates (X = W), and gels (X = I, V, A). The peptides exhibit enormous differences in phase equilibrium and material properties, including a 368-fold range in the threshold concentration for phase separation and a 3856-fold range in viscosity. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations provide physical explanations of these results. The present work also reveals widespread critical behaviors, including critical slowing down manifested by the formation of amorphous dense liquids and critical scaling obeyed by fusion speed, with broad implications for condensate function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Ramesh Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Siyuan Su
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Daesung Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
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8
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Ahmed R, Rangadurai AK, Ruetz L, Tollinger M, Kreutz C, Kay LE. A delayed decoupling methyl-TROSY pulse sequence for atomic resolution studies of folded proteins and RNAs in condensates. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2024; 362:107667. [PMID: 38626504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2024.107667] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Solution NMR spectroscopy has tremendous potential for providing atomic resolution insights into the interactions between proteins and nucleic acids partitioned into condensed phases of phase-separated systems. However, the highly viscous nature of the condensed phase challenges applications, and in particular, the extraction of quantitative, site-specific information. Here, we present a delayed decoupling-based HMQC pulse sequence for methyl-TROSY studies of 'client' proteins and nucleic acids partitioned into 'scaffold' proteinaceous phase-separated solvents. High sensitivity and excellent quality spectra are recorded of a nascent form of superoxide dismutase and of a small RNA fragment partitioned into CAPRIN1 condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashik Ahmed
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Atul K Rangadurai
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Lisa Ruetz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martin Tollinger
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Kreutz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lewis E Kay
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.
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9
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Shimamura H, Yamazaki H, Yoshimura SH. Charge block-driven liquid-liquid phase separation: A mechanism of how phosphorylation regulates phase behavior of disordered proteins. Biophys Physicobiol 2024; 21:e210012. [PMID: 39206127 PMCID: PMC11347820 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v21.0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation regulates protein function by modulating stereospecific interactions between protein-protein or enzyme-ligand. On the other hand, many bioinformatics studies have demonstrated that phosphorylation preferably occurs in intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), which do not have any secondary and tertiary structures. Although studies have demonstrated that phosphorylation changes the phase behavior of IDRs, the mechanism, which is distinct from the "stereospecific" effect, had not been elucidated. Here, we describe how phosphorylation in IDRs regulates the protein function by modulating phase behavior. Mitotic phosphorylation in the IDRs of Ki-67 and NPM1 promotes or suppresses liquid-liquid phase separation, respectively, by altering the "charge blockiness" along the polypeptide chain. The phosphorylation-mediated regulation of liquid-liquid phase separation by enhancing or suppressing "charge blockiness," rather than by modulating stereospecific interactions, may provide one of the general mechanisms of protein regulation by posttranslational modifications and the role of multiple phosphorylations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Shimamura
- Faculty of Integrated Human Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroya Yamazaki
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shige H. Yoshimura
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Center for Living Systems Information Science (CeLiSIS), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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10
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Karamanos TK, Matthews S. Biomolecular NMR in the AI-assisted structural biology era: Old tricks and new opportunities. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2024; 1872:140949. [PMID: 37572958 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140949] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 40 years nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has established itself as one of the most versatile techniques for the characterization of biomolecules, especially proteins. Given the molecular size limitations of NMR together with recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy and artificial intelligence-assisted protein structure prediction, the bright future of NMR in structural biology has been put into question. In this mini review we argue the contrary. We discuss the unique opportunities solution NMR offers to the protein chemist that distinguish it from all other experimental or computational methods, and how it can benefit from machine learning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London.
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11
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Kota D, Prasad R, Zhou HX. Adenosine Triphosphate Mediates Phase Separation of Disordered Basic Proteins by Bridging Intermolecular Interaction Networks. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:1326-1336. [PMID: 38174879 PMCID: PMC10843746 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09134] [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: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an abundant molecule with crucial cellular roles as the energy currency and a building block of nucleic acids and for protein phosphorylation. Here we show that ATP mediates the phase separation of basic intrinsically disordered proteins (bIDPs). In the resulting condensates, ATP is highly concentrated (apparent partition coefficients up to 7700) and serves as bridges between bIDP chains. These liquid-like droplets have some of the lowest interfacial tension (∼25 pN/μm) but high zero-shear viscosities (1-15 Pa s) due to the bridged protein networks, and yet their fusion has some of the highest speeds (∼1 μm/ms). The rapid fusion manifests extreme shear thinning, where the apparent viscosity is lower than zero-shear viscosity by over 100-fold, made possible by fast reformation of the ATP bridges. At still higher concentrations, ATP does not dissolve bIDP droplets but results in aggregates and fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Kota
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Ramesh Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
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12
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Crabtree MD, Holland J, Pillai AS, Kompella PS, Babl L, Turner NN, Eaton JT, Hochberg GKA, Aarts DGAL, Redfield C, Baldwin AJ, Nott TJ. Ion binding with charge inversion combined with screening modulates DEAD box helicase phase transitions. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113375. [PMID: 37980572 PMCID: PMC10935546 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113375] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Membraneless organelles, or biomolecular condensates, enable cells to compartmentalize material and processes into unique biochemical environments. While specific, attractive molecular interactions are known to stabilize biomolecular condensates, repulsive interactions, and the balance between these opposing forces, are largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that repulsive and attractive electrostatic interactions regulate condensate stability, internal mobility, interfaces, and selective partitioning of molecules both in vitro and in cells. We find that signaling ions, such as calcium, alter repulsions between model Ddx3 and Ddx4 condensate proteins by directly binding to negatively charged amino acid sidechains and effectively inverting their charge, in a manner fundamentally dissimilar to electrostatic screening. Using a polymerization model combined with generalized stickers and spacers, we accurately quantify and predict condensate stability over a wide range of pH, salt concentrations, and amino acid sequences. Our model provides a general quantitative treatment for understanding how charge and ions reversibly control condensate stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Crabtree
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Jack Holland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Arvind S Pillai
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Purnima S Kompella
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Leon Babl
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Noah N Turner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - James T Eaton
- Department of Chemistry, Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK; Kavli Insititute of Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Sherrington Rd, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Georg K A Hochberg
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 4, 35032 Marburg, Germany; Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 14, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Dirk G A L Aarts
- Department of Chemistry, Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Christina Redfield
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Andrew J Baldwin
- Department of Chemistry, Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK; Kavli Insititute of Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Sherrington Rd, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Timothy J Nott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
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13
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Morris DL, Nyenhuis DA, Dean DN, Strub MP, Tjandra N. Observation of pH-Dependent Residual Structure in the Pmel17 Repeat Domain and the Implication for Its Amyloid Formation. Biochemistry 2023; 62:3222-3233. [PMID: 37917797 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00445] [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: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The varying conformational states of amyloid-forming protein monomers can determine their fibrillation outcome. In this study, we utilize solution NMR and the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) effect to observe monomer properties of the repeat domain (RPT) from a human functional amyloid, premelanosomal protein, Pmel17. After excision from the full-length protein, RPT can self-assemble into amyloid fibrils, functioning as a scaffold for melanin deposition. Here, we report possible conformational states of the short RPT (sRPT) isoform, which has been demonstrated to be a fibrillation nucleator. NMR experiments were performed to determine conformational differences in sRPT by comparing aggregation-prone vs nonaggregating solution conditions. We observed significant chemical shift perturbations localized to residues near the C-terminus, demonstrating that the local chemical environment of the amyloid core region is highly sensitive to changes in pH. Next, we introduced cysteine point mutations for the covalent attachment of PRE ligands to sRPT to facilitate the observation of intramolecular interactions. We also utilized solvent PRE molecules with opposing charges to measure changes in the electrostatic potential of sRPT in different pH environments. These observed PRE effects offer insight into initial molecular events that might promote intermolecular interactions, which can trigger fibrillation. Taken together, our results show that sRPT monomers adopt a conformation inconsistent with a fully random coil at neutral pH and undergo conformational changes at lower pH values. These observations highlight regulatory mechanisms via organelle-associated pH conditions that can affect the fibrillation activity of proteins like RPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L Morris
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, NHLBI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States
| | - David A Nyenhuis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, NHLBI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States
| | - Dexter N Dean
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, NHLBI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States
| | - Marie-Paule Strub
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, NHLBI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States
| | - Nico Tjandra
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, NHLBI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States
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14
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Iwahara J, Pettitt BM, Yu B. Direct measurements of biomolecular electrostatics through experiments. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 82:102680. [PMID: 37573815 PMCID: PMC10947535 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Biomolecular electrostatics has been a subject of computational investigations based on 3D structures. This situation is changing because emerging experimental tools allow us to quantitatively investigate biomolecular electrostatics without any use of structure information. Now, electrostatic potentials around biomolecules can directly be measured for many residues simultaneously by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This NMR method can be used to study electrostatic aspects of various processes, including macromolecular association and liquid-liquid phase separation. Applications to structurally flexible biomolecules such as intrinsically disordered proteins are particularly useful. The new tools also facilitate examination of theoretical models and methods for biomolecular electrostatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Iwahara
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - B Montgomery Pettitt
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Binhan Yu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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15
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Okuno Y, Clore GM. Extending the Experimentally Accessible Range of Spin Dipole-Dipole Spectral Densities for Protein-Cosolute Interactions by Temperature-Dependent Solvent Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement Measurements. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:7887-7898. [PMID: 37681752 PMCID: PMC11345855 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Longitudinal (Γ1) and transverse (Γ2) solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (sPRE) yields field-dependent information in the form of spectral densities that provides unique information related to cosolute-protein interactions and electrostatics. A typical protein sPRE data set can only sample a few points on the spectral density curve, J(ω), within a narrow frequency window (500 MHz to ∼1 GHz). However, complex interactions and dynamics of paramagnetic cosolutes around a protein make it difficult to directly interpret the few experimentally accessible points of J(ω). In this paper, we show that it is possible to significantly extend the experimentally accessible frequency range (corresponding to a range from ∼270 MHz to 1.8 GHz) by acquiring a series of sPRE experiments at different temperatures. This approach is based on the scaling property of J(ω) originally proposed by Melchior and Fries for small molecules. Here, we demonstrate that the same scaling property also holds for geometrically far more complex systems such as proteins. Using the extended spectral densities derived from the scaling property as the reference dataset, we demonstrate that our previous approach that makes use of a non-Lorentzian Ansatz spectral density function to fit only J(0) and one to two J(ω) points allows one to obtain accurate values for the concentration-normalized equilibrium average of the electron-proton interspin separation ⟨r-6⟩norm and the correlation time τC, which provide quantitative information on the energetics and timescale, respectively, of local cosolute-protein interactions. We also show that effective near-surface potentials, ϕENS, obtained from ⟨r-6⟩norm provide a reliable and quantitative measure of intermolecular interactions including electrostatics, while ϕENS values obtained from only Γ1 or Γ2 sPRE rates can have significant artifacts as a consequence of potential variations and changes in the diffusive properties of the cosolute around the protein surface. Finally, we discuss the experimental feasibility and limitations of extracting the high-frequency limit of J(ω) that is related to ⟨r-8⟩norm and report on the extremely local intermolecular potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Okuno
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
| | - G Marius Clore
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
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16
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Kota D, Prasad R, Zhou HX. ATP Mediates Phase Separation of Disordered Basic Proteins by Bridging Intermolecular Interaction Networks. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.20.554035. [PMID: 37645809 PMCID: PMC10462115 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.20.554035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
ATP is an abundant molecule with crucial cellular roles as the energy currency and a building block of nucleic acids and for protein phosphorylation. Here we show that ATP mediates the phase separation of basic intrinsically disordered proteins (bIDPs). In the resulting condensates, ATP is highly concentrated (apparent partition coefficients at 200-5000) and serves as bridges between bIDP chains. These liquid-like droplets have some of the lowest interfacial tension (~25 pN/μm) but high zero-shear viscosities (1-15 Pa s) due to the bridged protein networks, and yet their fusion has some of the highest speeds (~1 μm/ms). The rapid fusion manifests extreme shear thinning, where the apparent viscosity is lower than zero-shear viscosity by over 100-fold, made possible by fast reformation of the ATP bridges. At still higher concentrations, ATP does not dissolve bIDP droplets but results in aggregates and fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Kota
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Ramesh Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
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17
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Rangadurai AK, Toyama Y, Kay LE. Sometimes pulses just have to be perfect - An example based on the measurement of amide proton transverse relaxation rates in proteins. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2023; 349:107412. [PMID: 36907132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2023.107412] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The measurement of spin relaxation rates provides a unique avenue for quantifying dynamic processes in biomolecules. In order to simplify analysis of the measurements so that a few key intuitive parameters can be extracted, it is often the case that experiments are designed to eliminate interference effects between different classes of spin relaxation. One example emerges in the measurement of amide proton (1HN) transverse relaxation rates in 15N labeled proteins, where 15N inversion pulses are applied during a relaxation element to eliminate cross-correlated spin relaxation between 1HN-15N dipole-1HN CSA interactions. We show that unless these pulses are essentially perfect, significant oscillations in magnetization decay profiles can be obtained, due to the excitation of multiple-quantum coherences, leading potentially to errors in measured R2 rates. With the recent development of experiments for quantifying electrostatic potentials via amide proton relaxation rates, the need for highly accurate measurement schemes becomes critical. Straightforward modifications to existing pulse sequences are suggested to achieve this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Kaushik Rangadurai
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Molecular Medicine, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
| | - Yuki Toyama
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.
| | - Lewis E Kay
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Molecular Medicine, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
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18
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Kaushik Rangadurai A, Toyama Y, Kay LE. Practical considerations for the measurement of near-surface electrostatics based on solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancements. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2023; 349:107400. [PMID: 36796143 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2023.107400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Electrostatic interactions can play important roles in regulating various biological processes. Quantifying surface electrostatics of biomolecules is, therefore, of significant interest. Recent advances in solution NMR spectroscopy have enabled site-specific measurements of de novo near-surface electrostatic potentials (ϕENS) based on a comparison of solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancements generated from differently charged paramagnetic co-solutes with similar structures. Although the NMR-derived near-surface electrostatic potentials have been shown to agree with theoretical calculations in the context of folded proteins and nucleic acids, such benchmark comparisons may not always be possible, particularly in cases where high-resolution structural models are lacking, such as in the study of intrinsically disordered proteins. Cross-validation of ϕENS potentials can be achieved by comparing values obtained using three pairs of paramagnetic co-solutes, each with a different net charge. Notably we have found cases where agreement of ϕENS potentials between the three pairs is poor and herein we investigate the source of this discrepancy in some detail. We show that for the systems considered here ϕENS potentials obtained from cationic and anionic co-solutes are accurate and that the use of paramagnetic co-solutes with different structures can be a viable option for validation, although the optimal choice of paramagnetic compounds depends on the system of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Kaushik Rangadurai
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Molecular Medicine, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
| | - Yuki Toyama
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.
| | - Lewis E Kay
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Molecular Medicine, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
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19
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Luo S, Wohl S, Zheng W, Yang S. Biophysical and Integrative Characterization of Protein Intrinsic Disorder as a Prime Target for Drug Discovery. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030530. [PMID: 36979465 PMCID: PMC10046839 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein intrinsic disorder is increasingly recognized for its biological and disease-driven functions. However, it represents significant challenges for biophysical studies due to its high conformational flexibility. In addressing these challenges, we highlight the complementary and distinct capabilities of a range of experimental and computational methods and further describe integrative strategies available for combining these techniques. Integrative biophysics methods provide valuable insights into the sequence–structure–function relationship of disordered proteins, setting the stage for protein intrinsic disorder to become a promising target for drug discovery. Finally, we briefly summarize recent advances in the development of new small molecule inhibitors targeting the disordered N-terminal domains of three vital transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqi Luo
- Center for Proteomics and Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Samuel Wohl
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Wenwei Zheng
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA
- Correspondence: (W.Z.); (S.Y.)
| | - Sichun Yang
- Center for Proteomics and Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Correspondence: (W.Z.); (S.Y.)
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20
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Toyama Y, Rangadurai AK, Forman-Kay JD, Kay LE. Surface electrostatics dictate RNA-binding protein CAPRIN1 condensate concentration and hydrodynamic properties. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102776. [PMID: 36496075 PMCID: PMC9823214 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102776] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates concentrate proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules and play an essential role in many biological processes. Their formation is tuned by a balance between energetically favorable and unfavorable contacts, with charge-charge interactions playing a central role in some systems. The positively charged intrinsically disordered carboxy-terminal region of the RNA-binding protein CAPRIN1 is one such example, phase separating upon addition of negatively charged ATP or high concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl). Using solution NMR spectroscopy, we measured residue-specific near-surface electrostatic potentials (ϕENS) of CAPRIN1 along its NaCl-induced phase separation trajectory to compare with those obtained using ATP. In both cases, electrostatic shielding decreases ϕENS values, yet surface potentials of CAPRIN1 in the two condensates can be different, depending on the amount of NaCl or ATP added. Our results establish that even small differences in ϕENS can significantly affect the level of protein enrichment and the mechanical properties of the condensed phase, leading, potentially, to the regulation of biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Toyama
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Atul Kaushik Rangadurai
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Molecular Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julie D Forman-Kay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Molecular Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lewis E Kay
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Molecular Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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21
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Okuno Y, Schwieters CD, Yang Z, Clore GM. Theory and Applications of Nitroxide-based Paramagnetic Cosolutes for Probing Intermolecular and Electrostatic Interactions on Protein Surfaces. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:21371-21388. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Okuno
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
| | - Charles D. Schwieters
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
- Computational Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance Core, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
| | - Zhilin Yang
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - G. Marius Clore
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
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22
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Yu B, Wang X, Iwahara J. Measuring Local Electrostatic Potentials Around Nucleic Acids by Paramagnetic NMR Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:10025-10029. [PMID: 36264151 PMCID: PMC9700389 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c02623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Electrostatic potentials around macromolecules in the presence of mobile charges are difficult to assess especially for highly charged systems. Here, we report measurements of local electrostatic potentials around DNA by paramagnetic NMR. Through quantitative analysis of NMR paramagnetic relaxation enhancement arising from positively charged or neutral paramagnetic cosolutes, we were able to determine local electrostatic potentials around 1H nuclei at >100 sites in major and minor grooves of 13C,15N-labeled 15-bp DNA at 100 mM NaCl. Our experimental electrostatic potential data directly confirmed the Coulombic end effects of DNA. The effective near-surface electrostatic potentials from the NMR data were in good agreement with the theoretical predictions with the Poisson-Boltzmann equation. This NMR method allows for unprecedented experimental investigations into the electrostatic properties of nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Junji Iwahara
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, Texas 77555-1068, USA
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23
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Lenard AJ, Mulder FAA, Madl T. Solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancement as a versatile method for studying structure and dynamics of biomolecular systems. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 132-133:113-139. [PMID: 36496256 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (sPRE) is a versatile nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based method that allows characterization of the structure and dynamics of biomolecular systems through providing quantitative experimental information on solvent accessibility of NMR-active nuclei. Addition of soluble paramagnetic probes to the solution of a biomolecule leads to paramagnetic relaxation enhancement in a concentration-dependent manner. Here we review recent progress in the sPRE-based characterization of structural and dynamic properties of biomolecules and their complexes, and aim to deliver a comprehensive illustration of a growing number of applications of the method to various biological systems. We discuss the physical principles of sPRE measurements and provide an overview of available co-solute paramagnetic probes. We then explore how sPRE, in combination with complementary biophysical techniques, can further advance biomolecular structure determination, identification of interaction surfaces within protein complexes, and probing of conformational changes and low-population transient states, as well as deliver insights into weak, nonspecific, and transient interactions between proteins and co-solutes. In addition, we present examples of how the incorporation of solvent paramagnetic probes can improve the sensitivity of NMR experiments and discuss the prospects of applying sPRE to NMR metabolomics, drug discovery, and the study of intrinsically disordered proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta J Lenard
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Research Unit Integrative Structural Biology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Frans A A Mulder
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Chemistry, University of Aarhus, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Institute of Biochemistry, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria.
| | - Tobias Madl
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Research Unit Integrative Structural Biology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
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