Crystal structure of the cell cycle-regulatory protein suc1 reveals a beta-hinge conformational switch

Passenger sequences can promote interlaced dimers in a common variant of the maltose-binding protein

The maltose-binding protein (MBP) is one of the most frequently used protein tags due to its capacity to stabilize, solubilize and even crystallize recombinant proteins that are fused to it. Given that MBP is thought to be a highly stable monomeric protein with known characteristics, fused passenger proteins are often studied without being cleaved from MBP. Here we report that a commonly used engineered MBP version (mutated to lower its surface entropy) can form interlaced dimers when fused to short protein sequences derived from the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) or the homologous protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2). These MBP dimers still bind maltose and can interconvert with monomeric forms in vitro under standard conditions despite a contact surface of more than 11,000 Ų. We demonstrate that both the mutations in MBP and the fused protein sequences were required for dimer formation. The FAK and PYK2 sequences are less than 40% identical, monomeric, and did not show specific interactions with MBP, suggesting that a variety of sequences can promote this MBP dimerization. MBP dimerization was abrogated by reverting two of the eight mutations introduced in the engineered MBP. Our results provide an extreme example for induced reversible domain-swapping, with implications for protein folding dynamics. Our observations caution that passenger-promoted MBP dimerization might mislead experimental characterization of the fused protein sequences, but also suggest a simple mutation to stop this phenomenon.

Exploring the Roles of Proline in Three-Dimensional Domain Swapping from Structure Analysis and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Three-dimensional (3D) domain swapping is a mechanism to form protein oligomers. It has been proposed that several factors, including proline residues in the hinge region, may affect the occurrence of 3D domain swapping. Although introducing prolines into the hinge region has been found to promote domain swapping for some proteins, the opposite effect has also been observed in several studies. So far, how proline affects 3D domain swapping remains elusive. In this work, based on a large set of 3D domain-swapped structures, we performed a systematic analysis to explore the correlation between the presence of proline in the hinge region and the occurrence of 3D domain swapping. We further analyzed the conformations of proline and pre-proline residues to investigate the roles of proline in 3D domain swapping. We found that more than 40% of the domain-swapped structures contained proline residues in the hinge region. Unexpectedly, conformational transitions of proline residues were rarely observed upon domain swapping. Our analyses showed that hinge regions containing proline residues preferred more extended conformations, which may be beneficial for the occurrence of domain swapping by facilitating opening of the exchanged segments.

The enigma of the near-symmetry of proteins: Domain swapping

The majority of proteins form oligomers which have rotational symmetry. Literature has suggested many functional advantages that the symmetric packing offers. Yet, despite these advantages, the vast majority of protein oligomers are only nearly symmetric. A key question in the field of proteins structure is therefore, if symmetry is so advantageous, why do oligomers settle for aggregates that do not maximize that structural property? The answer to that question is apparently multi-parametric, and involves distortions at the interaction zones of the monomer units of the oligomer in order to minimize the free energy, the dynamics of the protein, the effects of surroundings parameters, and the mechanism of oligomerization. The study of this problem is in its infancy: Only the first parameter has been explored so far. Here we focus on the last parameter-the mechanism of formation. To test this effect we have selected to focus on the domain swapping mechanism of oligomerization, by which oligomers form in a mechanism that swaps identical portions of monomeric units, resulting in an interwoven oligomer. We are using continuous symmetry measures to analyze in detail the oligomer formed by this mechanism, and found, that without exception, in all analyzed cases, perfect symmetry is given away, and we are able to identify that the main burden of distortion lies in the hinge regions that connect the swapped portions. We show that the continuous symmetry analysis method clearly identifies the hinge region of swapped domain proteins-considered to be a non-trivial task. We corroborate our conclusion about the central role of the hinge region in affecting the symmetry of the oligomers, by a special probability analysis developed particularly for that purpose.

The Prozone Effect Accounts for the Paradoxical Function of the Cdk-Binding Protein Suc1/Cks

Previous work has shown that Suc1/Cks proteins can promote the hyperphosphorylation of primed Cdk1 substrates through the formation of ternary Cdk1-Cks-phosphosubstrate complexes. This raises the possibility that Cks proteins might be able to both facilitate and interfere with hyperphosphorylation through a mechanism analogous to the prozone effect in antigen-antibody interactions, with substoichiometric Cks promoting the formation of Cdk1-Cks-phosphosubstrate complexes and suprastoichiometric Cks instead promoting the formation of Cdk1-Cks and Cks-phosphosubstrate complexes. We tested this hypothesis through a combination of theory, proof-of-principle experiments with oligonucleotide annealing, and experiments on the interaction of Xenopus cyclin B1-Cdk1-Cks2 with Wee1A in vitro and in Xenopus extracts. Our findings help explain why both Cks under-expression and overexpression interfere with cell-cycle progression and provide insight into the regulation of the Cdk1 system.

Insights into stabilizing interactions in the distorted domain-swapped dimer ofSalmonella typhimuriumsurvival protein

The survival protein SurE fromSalmonella typhimurium(StSurE) is a dimeric protein that functions as a phosphatase. SurE dimers are formed by the swapping of a loop with a pair of β-strands and a C-terminal helix between two protomers. In a previous study, the Asp230 and His234 residues were mutated to Ala to abolish a hydrogen bond that was thought to be crucial for C-terminal helix swapping. These mutations led to functionally inactive and distorted dimers in which the two protomers were related by a rotation of 167°. New salt bridges involving Glu112 were observed in the dimeric interface of the H234A and D230A/H234A mutants. To explore the role of these salt bridges in the stability of the distorted structure, E112A, E112A/D230A, E112A/H234A, E112A/D230A/H234A, R179L/H180A/H234A and E112A/R179L/H180A/H234A mutants were constructed. X-ray crystal structures of the E112A, E112A/H234A and E112A/D230A mutants could be determined. The dimeric structures of the E112A and E112A/H234A mutants were similar to that of native SurE, while the E112A/D230A mutant had a residual rotation of 11° between theBchains upon superposition of theAchains of the mutant and native dimers. The native dimeric structure was nearly restored in the E112A/H234A mutant, suggesting that the new salt bridge observed in the H234A and D230A/H234A mutants was indeed responsible for the stability of their distorted structures. Catalytic activity was also restored in these mutants, implying that appropriate dimeric organization is necessary for the activity of SurE.

The biochemistry of mitosis

In this article, we will discuss the biochemistry of mitosis in eukaryotic cells. We will focus on conserved principles that, importantly, are adapted to the biology of the organism. It is vital to bear in mind that the structural requirements for division in a rapidly dividing syncytial Drosophila embryo, for example, are markedly different from those in a unicellular yeast cell. Nevertheless, division in both systems is driven by conserved modules of antagonistic protein kinases and phosphatases, underpinned by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, which create molecular switches to drive each stage of division forward. These conserved control modules combine with the self-organizing properties of the subcellular architecture to meet the specific needs of the cell. Our discussion will draw on discoveries in several model systems that have been important in the long history of research on mitosis, and we will try to point out those principles that appear to apply to all cells, compared with those in which the biochemistry has been specifically adapted in a particular organism.

Conformational dynamics of the focal adhesion targeting domain control specific functions of focal adhesion kinase in cells

Focal adhesion (FA) kinase (FAK) regulates cell survival and motility by transducing signals from membrane receptors. The C-terminal FA targeting (FAT) domain of FAK fulfils multiple functions, including recruitment to FAs through paxillin binding. Phosphorylation of FAT on Tyr(925) facilitates FA disassembly and connects to the MAPK pathway through Grb2 association, but requires dissociation of the first helix (H1) of the four-helix bundle of FAT. We investigated the importance of H1 opening in cells by comparing the properties of FAK molecules containing wild-type or mutated FAT with impaired or facilitated H1 openings. These mutations did not alter the activation of FAK, but selectively affected its cellular functions, including self-association, Tyr(925) phosphorylation, paxillin binding, and FA targeting and turnover. Phosphorylation of Tyr(861), located between the kinase and FAT domains, was also enhanced by the mutation that opened the FAT bundle. Similarly phosphorylation of Ser(910) by ERK in response to bombesin was increased by FAT opening. Although FAK molecules with the mutation favoring FAT opening were poorly recruited at FAs, they efficiently restored FA turnover and cell shape in FAK-deficient cells. In contrast, the mutation preventing H1 opening markedly impaired FAK function. Our data support the biological importance of conformational dynamics of the FAT domain and its functional interactions with other parts of the molecule.

C-terminal β-strand swapping in a consensus-derived fibronectin Type III scaffold

The crystal structures of six different fibronectin Type III consensus-derived Tencon domains, whose solution properties exhibit no, to various degrees of, aggregation according to SEC, have been determined. The structures of the five variants showing aggregation reveal 3D domain swapped dimers. In all five cases, the swapping involves the C-terminal β-strand resulting in the formation of Tencon dimers in which the target-binding surface is blocked. All of the variants differ in sequence in the FG loop, which is the hinge loop in the β-strand-swapped dimers. The six tencon variants have between 0 and 5 residues inserted between positions 77 and 78 in the FG loop. Analysis of the structures suggests that a non-glycine residue at position 77 and insertions of <4 residues may destabilize the β-turn in the FG loop promoting β-strand swapping. Swapped dimers with an odd number of inserted residues may be less stable, particularly if they contain proline residues, because they cannot form perfect β-bridges in the FG regions that link the swapped dimers. The Tencon β-swapped variants with the longest FG sequences are observed to form higher order hexameric or helical oligomeric structures in the crystal correlating well with the aggregation properties of these domains observed in solution. Understanding the structural basis for domain-swapped dimerization and oligomerization will support engineering efforts of the Tencon domain to produce variants with desired biophysical properties.

The quaternary structure of the recombinant bovine odorant-binding protein is modulated by chemical denaturants

A large group of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) has attracted great scientific interest as promising building blocks in constructing optical biosensors for dangerous substances, such as toxic and explosive molecules. Native tissue-extracted bovine OBP (bOBP) has a unique dimer folding pattern that involves crossing the α-helical domain in each monomer over the other monomer’s β-barrel. In contrast, recombinant bOBP maintaining the high level of stability inherent to native tissue bOBP is produced in a stable native-like state with a decreased tendency for dimerization and is a mixture of monomers and dimers in a buffered solution. This work is focused on the study of the quaternary structure and the folding-unfolding processes of the recombinant bOBP in the absence and in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl). Our results show that the recombinant bOBP native dimer is only formed at elevated GdnHCl concentrations (1.5 M). This process requires re-organizing the protein structure by progressing through the formation of an intermediate state. The bOBP dimerization process appears to be irreversible and it occurs before the protein unfolds. Though the observed structural changes for recombinant bOBP at pre-denaturing GdnHCl concentrations show a local character and the overall protein structure is maintained, such changes should be considered where the protein is used as a sensitive element in a biosensor system.

Cks confers specificity to phosphorylation-dependent CDK signaling pathways

Cks is an evolutionarily conserved protein that regulates cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity. Clarifying the underlying mechanisms and cellular contexts of Cks function is critical because Cks is essential for proper cell growth, and its overexpression has been linked to cancer. We observe that budding-yeast Cks associates with select phosphorylated sequences in cell cycle-regulatory proteins. We characterize the molecular interactions responsible for this specificity and demonstrate that Cks enhances CDK activity in response to specific priming phosphosites. Identification of the binding consensus sequence allows us to identify putative Cks-directed CDK substrates and binding partners. We characterize new Cks-binding sites in the mitotic regulator Wee1 and discover a new role for Cks in regulating CDK activity at mitotic entry. Together, our results portray Cks as a multifunctional phosphoadaptor that serves as a specificity factor for CDK activity.

Domain swapping and amyloid fibril conformation

For several different proteins an apparent correlation has been observed between the propensity for dimerization by domain-swapping and the ability to aggregate into amyloid-like fibrils. Examples include the disease-related proteins β 2-microglobulin and transthyretin. This has led to proposals that the amyloid-formation pathway may feature extensive domain swapping. One possible consequence of such an aggregation pathway is that the resulting fibrils would incorporate structural elements that resemble the domain-swapped forms of the protein and, thus, reflect certain native-like structures or domain-interactions. In magic angle spinning solid-state NMR-based and other structural studies of such amyloid fibrils, it appears that many of these proteins form fibrils that are not native-like. Several fibrils, instead, have an in-register, parallel conformation, which is a common amyloid structural motif and is seen, for instance, in various prion fibrils. Such a lack of native structure in the fibrils suggests that the apparent connection between domain-swapping ability and amyloid-formation may be more subtle or complex than may be presumed at first glance.

Implications of 3D domain swapping for protein folding, misfolding and function

Three-dimensional domain swapping is the process by which two identical protein chains exchange a part of their structure to form an intertwined dimer or higher-order oligomer. The phenomenon has been observed in the crystal structures of a range of different proteins. In this chapter we review the experiments that have been performed in order to understand the sequence and structural determinants of domain-swapping and these show how the general principles obtained can be used to engineer proteins to domain swap. We discuss the role of domain swapping in regulating protein function and as one possible mechanism of protein misfolding that can lead to aggregation and disease. We also review a number of interesting pathways of macromolecular assembly involving β-strand insertion or complementation that are related to the domain-swapping phenomenon.

How focal adhesion kinase achieves regulation by linking ligand binding, localization and action

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has an astonishing number of ligands and functions, which enable it to contribute to embryonic development and human health. FAK can promote different effects in similar cellular environments or similar effects in different cellular environments. Recent advances in structural and cellular analysis of FAK are starting to reveal the interrelationships between the conformations, localizations, interactions, and functions of FAK. This review focuses on our emerging understanding of how the structural framework of FAK mechanistically allows it to integrate manifold stimuli into environment-specific functions.

Mechanism and energy landscape of domain swapping in the B1 domain of protein G

Three-dimensional domain swapping has emerged as a ubiquitous process for homo-oligomer formation in many unrelated proteins, but the molecular mechanism of this process is still poorly understood. Here we present a mechanism for the swapping reaction in the B1 domain of the immunoglobulin G binding protein from group G of Streptococcus (GB1). This is a particularly attractive system for investigating the swapping process, as the swapped dimer formed by the quadruple mutant (L5V/F30V/Y33F/A34F) of GB1 was recently shown to exist in equilibrium with a monomer-like conformation over time scales of minutes. According to our mechanism, swapping in GB1 starts from the C-terminus of the polypeptide chain and progresses by exchanging an increasing portion of the chains until a stable conformational state is reached. This exchange process does not involve unfolding. Rather, the conformational changes of individual monomers and their association are tightly coupled to minimize solvent exposure and maximize the total number of native contacts at all times, thereby closely approximating the minimum energy path of the reaction. Using detailed atomic descriptions, we compute the complete free-energy profiles of the exchange reaction for the GB1 quadruple mutant that forms swapped dimers and for the wild-type protein, which is monomeric. In both GB1 forms, intermediates sample a surprisingly wide range of nearly isoenergetic association modes and hinge conformations, indicating that the exchange reaction is a non-specific process akin to encounter complex formation where the amino acid sequence plays a marginal role. The main role of the mutations in the swapping process is to destabilize the GB1 monomer state, while stabilizing the swapped dimer conformation, with non-native intersubunit interactions, fostered by mutant side chains, contributing significantly to this stabilization. Our findings are rationalized in terms of a generic swapping mechanism that involves the association of activated molecular species, and it is argued that a similar mechanism may apply to swapping in other protein systems.

X-ray solution scattering (SAXS) combined with crystallography and computation: defining accurate macromolecular structures, conformations and assemblies in solution

Crystallography supplies unparalleled detail on structural information critical for mechanistic analyses; however, it is restricted to describing low energy conformations of macromolecules within crystal lattices. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) offers complementary information about macromolecular folding, unfolding, aggregation, extended conformations, flexibly linked domains, shape, conformation, and assembly state in solution, albeit at the lower resolution range of about 50 A to 10 A resolution, but without the size limitations inherent in NMR and electron microscopy studies. Together these techniques can allow multi-scale modeling to create complete and accurate images of macromolecules for modeling allosteric mechanisms, supramolecular complexes, and dynamic molecular machines acting in diverse processes ranging from eukaryotic DNA replication, recombination and repair to microbial membrane secretion and assembly systems. This review addresses both theoretical and practical concepts, concerns and considerations for using these techniques in conjunction with computational methods to productively combine solution scattering data with high-resolution structures. Detailed aspects of SAXS experimental results are considered with a focus on data interpretation tools suitable to model protein and nucleic acid macromolecular structures, including membrane protein, RNA, DNA, and protein-nucleic acid complexes. The methods discussed provide the basis to examine molecular interactions in solution and to study macromolecular flexibility and conformational changes that have become increasingly relevant for accurate understanding, simulation, and prediction of mechanisms in structural cell biology and nanotechnology.

Molecular mechanisms of the phospho-dependent prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1

Since its discovery 10 years ago, Pin1, a prolyl cis/trans isomerase essential for cell cycle progression, has been implicated in a large number of molecular processes related to human diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Pin1 is made up of a WW interaction domain and a C-terminal catalytic subunit, and several high-resolution structures are available that have helped define its function. The enzymatic activity of Pin1 towards short peptides containing the pSer/Thr-Pro motif has been well documented, and we discuss the available evidence for the molecular mechanisms of its isomerase activity. We further focus on those studies that examine its cis/trans isomerase function using full-length protein substrates. The interpretation of this research has been further complicated by the observation that many of its pSer/Thr-Pro substrate motifs are located in natively unstructured regions of polypeptides, and are characterized by minor populations of the cis conformer. Finally, we review the data on the possibility of alternative modes of substrate binding and the complex role that Pin1 plays in the degradation of its substrates. After considering the available work, it seems that further analysis is required to determine whether binding or catalysis is the primary mechanism through which Pin1 affects cell cycle progression.

Domain Swapping in p13suc1 Results in Formation of Native-like, Cytotoxic Aggregates

The field of protein aggregation has been occupied mainly with the study of beta-strand self-association that occurs as a result of misfolding and leads to the formation of toxic protein aggregates and amyloid fibers. However, some of these aggregates retain native-like structural and enzymatic properties suggesting mechanisms other than beta-strand assembly. p13suc1 is a small protein that can exist as a monomer or a domain-swapped dimer. Here, we show that, under native conditions, p13suc1 forms three-dimensional domain-swapped aggregates, and that these aggregates are cytotoxic. Thus, toxicity of protein aggregates is not only associated with beta-rich assemblies and amyloid fibers, involving non-native interactions, but it can be induced by oligomeric misassembly that maintains predominantly native-like interactions.

Trypanosoma cruzi Tcp12CKS1 interacts with parasite CRKs and rescues the p13SUC1 fission yeast mutant

The complex mechanism of cell division in trypanosomatids is not completely fully understood. CRKs (cdc2-related kinases), Cyclins and CKSs (cdc2-kinase subunit) are involved in the progression through the cell cycle. The CKS proteins were first described as components of the cell cycle machinery in yeast and their action has been implicated in the regulation of CDK function. In the present work we identified Tcp12CKS1 a member of the CKS family in the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. TcCKS1 is expressed in the three forms of T. cruzi. By using anti-Tcp12CKS1 antiserum, protein kinase (PK) activities were immunoprecipitated. The PK activity level varies depending on the stage analyzed, being lower in trypomastigotes and thus suggesting that different stages have different CKS-CRK complexes. Moreover, these PK activities were inhibited by using Flavopiridol, a known CDKs inhibitor. Western blot analyses demonstrated that in the epimastigote stage, p12CKS1 stably interacts with TcCRK1 and TcCRK3. In addition, Tcp12CKS1 was able to rescue the p13SUC1 null mutant of S. pombe. The functional complementation between the CKS proteins of two evolutionary distant organisms supports the role of Tcp12CKS1 as a key regulator in T. cruzi cell cycle.

Role of Conformational Heterogeneity in Domain Swapping and Adapter Function of the Cks Proteins

Cks proteins are adapter molecules that coordinate the assembly of multiprotein complexes. They share the ability to domain swap by exchanging a beta-strand, beta4. Here we use NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the dynamic properties of human Cks1 and its response on assembly with components of the SCF(Skp2) ubiquitin ligation machinery. In the NMR experiment with the free form of Cks1, a subset of residues displayed elevated R2 values and the cross-peaks of neighboring residues were missing from the spectrum, indicating a substantial conformational exchange contribution on the microsecond to millisecond time scale. Strikingly the region of greatest conformational variability was the beta4-strand that domain swaps to form the dimer. Binding of the ligand common to all Cks proteins, Cdk2, suppressed the conformational heterogeneity. This response was specific to Cdk2 binding; in contrast, binding of Skp2, a ligand unique to human Cks1, did not alter the dynamic behavior. Short time (<5 ns) molecular dynamics simulations indicate that residues of Cks1 that form the binding site for phosphorylated ligands are considerably more flexible in the free form of Cks1 than they are in the Cdk2-Cks1 complex. A cooperative interaction between Cdk2 and Cks1 is suggested, which reduces the configurational entropy of Cks1 and therefore facilitates phosphoprotein binding. Indications of an unusual dynamic behavior of strand beta4 in the free form of Cks1 were obtained from longer time scale (50 ns) dynamics simulations. A spontaneous reversible unzipping of hydrogen bonds between beta4 and beta2 was observed, suggesting an early intermediate structure for unfolding and/or domain swapping. We propose that the dynamic properties of the beta-sheet and its modification upon ligand binding underlie the domain swapping ability and the adapter function of Cks proteins.

Preliminary crystallographic analysis of the Cks protein p13(suc1P90AP92A) from Schizosacharromyces pombe

The p13(suc1) is the fission yeast member of the Cks (Cdc28-dependant kinase subunit) family of proteins. The Cks proteins bind to and are required for the function of cyclin-dependant kinase (Cdk) proteins during cell cycle progression in eukaryotic cells. Two conformations of Cks have been detected crystallographically; a compact monomer with the C-terminal fourth beta-strand inserted into the core of the molecule between strands 2 and 3, and a strand-exchanged dimer where the fourth beta-strand is inserted into the core of the dimer partner in an equivalent position. There is a highly conserved "hinge" region consisting of the motif PEP, N-terminal to the fourth beta-strand. In the monomer this motif constitutes a beta-turn, while in the dimeric structure it is extended, allowing strand exchange. The mutant protein p13(suc1P90AP92A), in which alanine residues replace both prolines of the turn, provides an opportunity to examine the role of the prolines in this hinge region and how they may allow for the formation of strand-exchanged dimers by Cks proteins. We have expressed and purified this mutant protein. Two millimolar p13(suc1P90AP92A) crystallised in 50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane pH 7.5, 30% poly(ethylene glycol) 1500. Diffraction data were collected at room temperature on an MAR345 image plate using Cu Kalpha radiation from a Rigaku RU200 rotating-anode generator source to 2.70A. The crystal has unit cell parameters a=b=75.1 A, c=34.9 A, alpha=beta=90 degrees , gamma=120 degrees. Diffraction data were indexed to the space group P6 and systematic absences 00l indicate a screw axis consistent with P6(3).

Intermediates Control Domain Swapping during Folding of p13

The 13-kDa protein p13(suc1) has two folded states, a monomer and a structurally similar domain-swapped dimer formed by exchange of a beta-strand. The refolding reaction of p13(suc1) is multiphasic, and in this paper we analyze the kinetics as a function of denaturant and protein concentration and compare the behavior of wild type and a set of mutants previously designed with dimerization propensities that span 9 orders of magnitude. We show that the folding reactions of wild type and all mutants produce the monomer predominantly despite their very different equilibrium behavior. However, the addition of low concentrations of denaturant in the refolding buffer leads to thermodynamic control of the folding reaction with products that correspond to the wild type and mutant equilibrium dimerization propensities. We present evidence that the kinetic control in the absence of urea arises because of the population of the folding intermediates. Intermediates are usually considered to be detrimental to folding because they slow down the reaction; however, our work shows that intermediates buffer the monomeric folding pathway against the effect of mutations that favor the nonfunctional, dimeric state at equilibrium.

The unfolding story of three-dimensional domain swapping

Three-dimensional domain swapping is the event by which a monomer exchanges part of its structure with identical monomers to form an oligomer where each subunit has a similar structure to the monomer. The accumulating number of observations of this phenomenon in crystal structures has prompted speculation as to its biological relevance. Domain swapping was originally proposed to be a mechanism for the emergence of oligomeric proteins and as a means for functional regulation, but also to be a potentially harmful process leading to misfolding and aggregation. We highlight experimental studies carried out within the last few years that have led to a much greater understanding of the mechanism of domain swapping and of the residue- and structure-specific features that facilitate the process. We discuss the potential biological implications of domain swapping in light of these findings.

Weak cooperativity in the core causes a switch in folding mechanism between two proteins of the cks family

The human protein ckshs1 (cks1) is a 79 residue alpha/beta protein with low thermodynamic and kinetic stability. Its folding mechanism was probed by mutation at sites throughout the structure. Many of the mutations caused changes in the slope of the unfolding arm of the chevron plot. The effects can be rationalised in terms of either transition-state movement or native-state "breathing", and in either case, the magnitude of the effect enables the sequence of events in the folding reaction to be determined. Those sites that fold early exhibit a small perturbation, whilst those sites that fold late exhibit a large perturbation. The results show that cks1 folds sequential pairs of beta-strands first; beta1/beta2 and beta3/beta4. Subsequently, these pairs pack against each other and onto the alpha-helical region to form the core. The folding process of cks1 contrasts with that of the homologue, suc1. The 113 residue suc1 has the same beta-sheet core structure but, additionally, two large insertions that confer much greater thermodynamic and kinetic stability. The more extensive network of tertiary interactions in suc1 provides sufficient enthalpic gain to overcome the entropic cost of forming the core and thus tips the balance in favour of non-local interactions: the non-local, central beta-strand pair, beta2/beta4, forms first and the periphery strands pack on later. Moreover, the greater cooperativity of the core of suc1 protects its folding from perturbation and consequently the slope of the unfolding arm of the chevron plot is much less sensitive to mutation.

Control of domain swapping in bovine odorant-binding protein

As revealed by the X-ray structure, bovine odorant-binding protein (OBPb) is a domain swapped dimer [Tegoni, Ramoni, Bignetti, Spinelli and Cambillau (1996) Nat. Struct. Biol. 3, 863-867; Bianchet, Bains, Petosi, Pevsner, Snyder, Monaco and Amzel (1996) Nat. Struct. Biol. 3, 934-939]. This contrasts with all known mammalian OBPs, which are monomers, and in particular with porcine OBP (OBPp), sharing 42.3% identity with OBPb. By the mechanism of domain swapping, monomers are proposed to evolve into dimers and oligomers, as observed in human prion. Comparison of bovine and porcine OBP sequences pointed at OBPp glycine 121, in the hinge linking the beta-barrel to the alpha-helix. The absence of this residue in OBPb might explain why the normal lipocalin beta-turn is not formed. In order to decipher the domain swapping determinants we have produced a mutant of OBPb in which a glycine residue was inserted after position 121, and a mutant of OBPp in which glycine 121 was deleted. The latter mutation did not result in dimerization, while OBPb-121Gly+ became monomeric, suggesting that domain swapping was reversed. Careful structural analysis revealed that besides the presence of a glycine in the hinge, the dimer interface formed by the C-termini and by the presence of the lipocalins conserved disulphide bridge may also control domain swapping.

Evolution of protein structures and functions

Within the ever-expanding repertoire of known protein sequences and structures, many examples of evolving three-dimensional structures are emerging that illustrate the plasticity and robustness of protein folds. The mechanisms by which protein folds change often include the fusion of duplicated domains, followed by divergence through mutation. Such changes reflect both the stability of protein folds and the requirements of protein function.

The structure of the transition state for folding of domain-swapped dimeric p13suc1

suc1 has two native states, a monomer and a domain-swapped dimer, in which one molecule exchanges a beta strand with an identical partner. Thus, monomer and dimer have the same structures but are topologically distinct. Importantly, residues that exchange are part of the folding nucleus of the monomer and therefore forming these interactions in the dimer would be expected to incur a large entropic cost. Here we present the transition state for folding/unfolding of domain-swapped dimeric suc1 and compare it with its monomeric counterpart. The same overall structure is observed in the two transition states but the phi values are consistently higher for the domain-swapped dimer. Thus, a greater entropic penalty for bringing together the key interactions in the dimer is overcome by mobilizing more contacts in the transition state, thereby achieving a greater enthalpic gain.

Solution NMR study of the monomeric form of p13suc1 protein sheds light on the hinge region determining the affinity for a phosphorylated substrate

Cyclin-dependent kinase subunit (CKS) proteins bind to cyclin-dependent kinases and target various proteins to phosphorylation and proteolysis during cell division. Crystal structures showed that CKS can exist both in a closed monomeric conformation when bound to the kinase and in an inactive C-terminal beta-strand-exchanged conformation. With the exception of the hinge loop, however, both crystal structures are identical, and no new protein interface is formed in the dimer. Protein engineering studies have pinpointed the crucial role of the proline 90 residue of the p13(suc1) CKS protein from Schizosaccharomyces pombe in the monomer-dimer equilibrium and have led to the concept of a loaded molecular spring of the beta-hinge motif. Mutation of this hinge proline into an alanine stabilizes the protein and prevents the occurrence of swapping. However, other mutations further away from the hinge as well as ligand binding can equally shift the equilibrium between monomer and dimer. To address the question of differential affinity through relief of the strain, here we compare the ligand binding of the monomeric form of wild-type S. pombe p13(suc1) and its hinge mutant P90A in solution by NMR spectroscopy. We indeed observed a 5-fold difference in affinity with the wild-type protein being the most strongly binding. Our structural study further indicates that both wild-type and the P90A mutant proteins adopt in solution the closed conformation but display different dynamic properties in the C-terminal beta-sheet involved in domain swapping and protein interactions.

Molecular cloning and characterisation of p15(CDK-BP), a novel CDK-binding protein

The suc1/Cks proteins are well-conserved regulatory components of cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 2 (CDK1/2). These small molecular mass proteins form a stable complex with CDK1/2 and are essential for normal regulation of CDKs during the cell division cycle and for degradation of p27(kip1). Despite the high degree of homology between the nine known CDKs, only CDK1, CDK2 and, to a lesser extent, CDK3 are able to bind to the suc1/Cks proteins. No additional suc1/Cks-related proteins interacting with other CDKs have been reported. We have purified, from starfish oocytes, a 15 kDa protein, p15(CDK-BP), which cross-reacts with anti-Cks antibodies (L. Azzi, L. Meijer, A.C. Ostvold, J. Lew, J.H. Wang, J. Biol. Chem. 269 (1994)). Following microsequencing of internal peptides and generation of corresponding oligonucleotides we cloned two cDNAs encoding two closely related proteins, p15A and p15B. The predicted protein sequences display distant but distinct homology with the Suc1/Cks proteins, including the genuine starfish Cks homologue protein, p9(CksMg). P15 transcripts are essentially expressed in oocytes. Recombinant p15B or native p15(CDK-BP) bind a 34 kDa protein cross-reacting with anti-PSTAIRE antibodies, a feature characteristic of CDK-related proteins. In addition p15B interacts tightly with CDK4, CDK6, CDK8 and the yeast CDC28-related kinase Pho85, but not with CDK1, CDK2 or CDK7. P15 does not appear to alter the catalytic activity of the bound kinases.

The structural basis of localization and signaling by the focal adhesion targeting domain

The localization of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to sites of integrin clustering initiates downstream signaling. The C-terminal focal adhesion targeting (FAT) domain causes this localization by interacting with talin and paxillin. FAT also mediates signaling through Grb2 via phosphorylated Y925. We report two crystal structures of the FAT domain. Large rearrangements of the structure are indicated to allow phosphorylation of Y925 and subsequent interaction with Grb2. Sequence homology and structural compatibility suggest a FAT-like fold for the C-terminal domains of CAS, Efs/Sin, and HEF1. A structure-based alignment including these proteins and the vinculin tail domain reveals a conserved region that could play a role in focal adhesion targeting. Previously postulated "paxillin binding subdomains" may contribute to structural integrity rather than directly to paxillin binding.

Protein folding and three-dimensional domain swapping: a strained relationship?

Many proteins function as multimeric assemblies into which the folded individual promoters organize as higher order structures. An oligomerization mechanism that appears to impose the coordination of events during folding and oligomer assembly is three-dimensional domain swapping. Recent studies have focused on revealing the structural basis of domain swapping and a possible role for domain swapping in the regulation of protein aggregation and activity.

Three-dimensional domain swapping in p13suc1 occurs in the unfolded state and is controlled by conserved proline residues

p13suc1 has two native states, a monomer and a domain-swapped dimer. We show that their folding pathways are connected by the denatured state, which introduces a kinetic barrier between monomer and dimer under native conditions. The barrier is lowered under conditions that speed up unfolding, thereby allowing, to our knowledge for the first time, a quantitative dissection of the energetics of domain swapping. The monomer-dimer equilibrium is controlled by two conserved prolines in the hinge loop that connects the exchanging domains. These two residues exploit backbone strain to specifically direct dimer formation while preventing higher-order oligomerization. Thus, the loop acts as a loaded molecular spring that releases tension in the monomer by adopting its alternative conformation in the dimer. There is an excellent correlation between domain swapping and aggregation, suggesting they share a common mechanism. These insights have allowed us to redesign the domain-swapping propensity of suc1 from a fully monomeric to a fully dimeric protein.

Recognition between flexible protein molecules: induced and assisted folding

This review focuses on a very important but little understood type of molecular recognition--the recognition between highly flexible molecular structures. The formation of a specific complex in this case is a dynamic process that can occur through sequential steps of mutual conformational adaptation. This allows modulation of specificity and affinity of interaction in extremely broad ranges. The interacting partners can interact together to form a complex with entirely new properties and produce conformational signal transduction at substantial distance. We show that this type of recognition is frequent in formation of different protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid complexes. It is also characteristic for self-assembly of protein molecules from their unfolded fragments as well as for interaction of molecular chaperones with their substrates and it can be the origin of 'protein misfolding' diseases. Thermodynamic and kinetic features of this type of dynamic recognition and the principles underlying their modeling and analysis are discussed.

Crystal structure and mutational analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle regulatory protein Cks1: implications for domain swapping, anion binding and protein interactions

BACKGROUND

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein Cks1 (cyclin-dependent kinase subunit 1) is essential for cell-cycle progression. The biological function of Cks1 can be modulated by a switch between two distinct molecular assemblies: the single domain fold, which results from the closing of a beta-hinge motif, and the intersubunit beta-strand interchanged dimer, which arises from the opening of the beta-hinge motif. The crystal structure of a cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) in complex with the human Cks homolog CksHs1 single-domain fold revealed the importance of conserved hydrophobic residues and charged residues within the beta-hinge motif.

RESULTS

The 3.0 A resolution Cks1 structure reveals the strict structural conservation of the Cks alpha/beta-core fold and the beta-hinge motif. The beta hinge identified in the Cks1 structure includes a novel pivot and exposes a cluster of conserved tyrosine residues that are involved in Cdk binding but are sequestered in the beta-interchanged Cks homolog suc1 dimer structure. This Cks1 structure confirms the conservation of the Cks anion-binding site, which interacts with sidechain residues from the C-terminal alpha helix of another subunit in the crystal.

CONCLUSIONS

The Cks1 structure exemplifies the conservation of the beta-interchanged dimer and the anion-binding site in evolutionarily distant yeast and human Cks homologs. Mutational analyses including in vivo rescue of CKS1 disruption support the dual functional roles of the beta-hinge residue Glu94, which participates in Cdk binding, and of the anion-binding pocket that is located 22 A away and on an opposite face to Glu94. The Cks1 structure suggests a biological role for the beta-interchanged dimer and the anion-binding site in targeting Cdks to specific phosphoproteins during cell-cycle progression.

Sequence conservation provides the best prediction of the role of proline residues in p13suc1

The unique nature of the proline side-chain imposes severe constraints on the polypeptide backbone, and thus it seems likely that it plays a special structural or functional role in the architecture of proteins. We have investigated the role of proline residues in suc1, a member of the cyclin-dependent kinase (cks) family of proteins, whose known function is to bind to and regulate the activity of the major mitotic cdk. The effect on stability of mutation to alanine of all but two of the eight proline residues is correlated with their conservation within the family. The remaining two proline residues are located in the hinge loop between two beta-strands that mediates a domain-swapping process involving exchange of a beta-strand between two monomers to form a dimer pair. Mutation of these proline residues to alanine stabilises the protein. cdk binding is unaffected by these mutations, but dimerisation is altered. We propose, therefore, that the double-proline motif is conserved for the purpose of domain swapping, which suggests that this phenomenon plays a role in the function of cks proteins. Thus, the conservation of the proline residues is a good indicator of their roles in suc1, either in the stabilisation of the native state or in performing functions that are as yet unknown. In addition, the strain resulting from two of the proline residues was relieved successfully by mutation of the preceeding residue to glycine, suggesting a general method for designing more stable proteins.

Characterization of the unfolding pathway of the cell-cycle protein p13suc1 by molecular dynamics simulations: implications for domain swapping

BACKGROUND

The p13suc1 gene product is a member of the cks (cyclin-dependent protein kinase subunit) protein family and has been implicated in regulation of the cell cycle. Various crystal structures of suc1 are available, including a globular, monomeric form and a beta-strand exchanged dimer. It has been suggested that conversions between these forms, and perhaps others, may be important in the regulation of the cell cycle.

RESULTS

We have undertaken molecular dynamics simulations of protein unfolding to investigate the conformational properties of suc1. Unfolding transition states were identified for each of four simulations. These states contain some native secondary structure, primarily helix alpha1 and the core of the beta sheet. The hydrophobic core is loosely packed. Further unfolding leads to an intermediate state that is slightly more expanded than the transition state, but with considerably fewer nonlocal, tertiary packing contacts and less secondary structure. The helices are fluctuating but partially formed in the denatured state and beta2 and beta4 remain associated.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that suc1 folds by a nucleation-condensation mechanism, similar to that observed for two-state folding proteins. However, suc1 forms an intermediate during unfolding and contains considerable residual structure in the denatured state. The stability of the beta2-beta4 residual structure is surprising, because beta4 is the strand involved in domain swapping. This stability suggests that the domain-swapping event, if physiologically relevant, may require the assistance of additional factors in vivo or occur early in the folding process.

The folding pathway of the cell-cycle regulatory protein p13suc1: clues for the mechanism of domain swapping

BACKGROUND

The 113-residue alpha+beta protein suc1 is a member of the cyclin-dependent kinase subunit (cks) family of proteins that are involved in regulation of the eukaryotic cell cycle. In vitro, suc1 undergoes domain swapping to form a dimer by the exchange of a C-terminal beta strand. We have analysed the folding pathway of suc1 in order to determine the atomic details of how strand-exchange occurs in vitro and thereby obtain clues as to the possible mechanism and functional role of dimerisation in vivo.

RESULTS

The structures of the rate-determining transition state for the folding/unfolding of suc1 and of the intermediate that is populated during refolding were probed using phi values determined for 57 mutants with substitutions at 43 sites throughout the protein. The majority of phi values are fractional in the intermediate and transition state, indicating that interactions build up in a concerted manner during folding. In the transition state, phi values of greater than 0.5 are clustered around the inner strands beta2 and beta4 of the beta sheet. This part of the structure constitutes the nucleus for folding according to a nucleation-condensation mechanism. Molecular dynamics simulations of unfolding of suc1, performed independently in a blind manner, are in excellent agreement with experiment (proceeding paper).

CONCLUSIONS

Strand beta4 is the exchanging strand in the dimer and yet it forms an integral part of the folding nucleus. This suggests that association is an early event in the folding reaction of the dimer. Therefore, interchange between the monomer and dimer must occur via an unfolded state, a process that may be facilitated in vivo by accessory proteins.

The xenopus Suc1/Cks protein promotes the phosphorylation of G(2)/M regulators

The entry into mitosis is controlled by Cdc2/cyclin B, also known as maturation or M-phase promoting factor (MPF). In Xenopus egg extracts, the inhibitory phosphorylations of Cdc2 on Tyr-15 and Thr-14 are controlled by the phosphatase Cdc25 and the kinases Myt1 and Wee1. At mitosis, Cdc25 is activated and Myt1 and Wee1 are inactivated through phosphorylation by multiple kinases, including Cdc2 itself. The Cdc2-associated Suc1/Cks1 protein (p9) is also essential for entry of egg extracts into mitosis, but the molecular basis of this requirement has been unknown. We find that p9 strongly stimulates the regulatory phosphorylations of Cdc25, Myt1, and Wee1 that are carried out by the Cdc2/cyclin B complex. Overexpression of the prolyl isomerase Pin1, which binds to the hyperphosphorylated forms of Cdc25, Myt1, and Wee1 found at M-phase, is known to block the initiation of mitosis in egg extracts. We have observed that Pin1 specifically antagonizes the stimulatory effect of p9 on phosphorylation of Cdc25 by Cdc2/cyclin B. This observation could explain why overexpression of Pin1 inhibits mitotic initiation. These findings suggest that p9 promotes the entry into mitosis by facilitating phosphorylation of the key upstream regulators of Cdc2.

Cyclin-dependent kinases: inhibition and substrate recognition

Four unresolved issues of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) regulation have been addressed by structural studies this year - the mechanism of CDK inhibition by members of the INK4 family of CDK inhibitors, consensus substrate sequence recognition by CDKs, the role of the cyclin subunit in substrate recognition and the structural mechanism underlying CDK inhibition by phosphorylation.

Regulation of Cdc28 cyclin-dependent protein kinase activity during the cell cycle of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK) encoded by CDC28 is the master regulator of cell division in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By mechanisms that, for the most part, remain to be delineated, Cdc28 activity controls the timing of mitotic commitment, bud initiation, DNA replication, spindle formation, and chromosome separation. Environmental stimuli and progress through the cell cycle are monitored through checkpoint mechanisms that influence Cdc28 activity at key cell cycle stages. A vast body of information concerning how Cdc28 activity is timed and coordinated with various mitotic events has accrued. This article reviews that literature. Following an introduction to the properties of CDKs common to many eukaryotic species, the key influences on Cdc28 activity-cyclin-CKI binding and phosphorylation-dephosphorylation events-are examined. The processes controlling the abundance and activity of key Cdc28 regulators, especially transcriptional and proteolytic mechanisms, are then discussed in detail. Finally, the mechanisms by which environmental stimuli influence Cdc28 activity are summarized.

Stability and folding of the cell cycle regulatory protein, p13(suc1)

p13(suc1) (suc1) is a member of the CDC28 kinase specific family of cell cycle regulatory proteins that bind to the cyclin-dependent kinase CDK2 and regulate its activity. suc1 has two distinct conformational and assembly states, a compact globular monomer and a beta strand-exchanged dimer. The dimerisation is an example of domain-swapping, and is mediated by a molecular hinge mechanism that is conserved across the entire CKS family. It has been proposed that the function of suc1 may be modulated by the dimerisation process with monomer-dimer switching occurring in response to a change in the cell environment. We have investigated the stability and folding of suc1 as a first step in determining the mechanism and functional role of the strand exchange. Suc1 unfolds reversibly at equilibrium in a two-state manner with a free energy of unfolding of 7.2 kcal mol-1. The kinetics of folding and unfolding are complex, and double-jump stopped-flow methods revealed that there are at least three parallel folding pathways arising from distinct unfolded and partly folded, intermediate states. The major population of unfolded species fold rapidly according to a three-state mechanism, D1->I1->N, with a rate constant for the formation of native species, N, from the intermediate, I1, of 65 s-1 in water. Two minor populations of unfolded molecules fold more slowly. Folding of one population is limited by proline isomerisation in a partly folded state, and some expansion of the protein is required for isomerisation to occur. The other population could be assigned to rate-limiting isomerisation of the peptidyl-proline bond of residue 90, which is located in the molecular hinge. A minor, fast phase was detected in the unfolding kinetics that corresponds to unfolding of a small population of a distinct native-like form. Heterogeneity was removed upon mutation of Pro90 to Ala. The unfolding kinetics of the strand-exchanged dimer were also investigated and showed that the dimer unfolds at the same rate as the monomer.

Cyclin-stimulated binding of Cks proteins to cyclin-dependent kinases

Although Cks proteins were the first identified binding partners of cyclin-dependent protein kinases (cdks), their cell cycle functions have remained unclear. To help elucidate the function of Cks proteins, we examined whether their binding to p34(cdc2) (the mitotic cdk) varies during the cell cycle in Xenopus egg extracts. We observed that binding of human CksHs2 to p34(cdc2) was stimulated by cyclin B. This stimulation was dependent on the activating phosphorylation of p34(cdc2) on Thr-161, which follows cyclin binding and is mediated by the cdk-activating kinase. Neither the inhibitory phosphorylations of p34(cdc2) nor the catalytic activity of p34(cdc2) was required for this stimulation. Stimulated binding of CksHs2 to another cdk, p33(cdk2), required both cyclin A and activating phosphorylation. Our findings support recent models that suggest that Cks proteins target active forms of p34(cdc2) to substrates.

Suc1: cdc2 affinity reagent or essential cdk adaptor protein?

CKS proteins, for which the original member, p13suc1, was identified as a suppressor of cdc2 alleles in S. Pombe, have long served as a reagent for the purification of p34cdc2, whereas their biological function has remained elusive. Apparently conflicting data derived from different model systems may indicate a diversity of function for these proteins. Several new observations in yeast and Xenopus egg extracts together with new structural information tends to enhance the hypothesis that CKS proteins function to alter the activity of cdc2 at several important points in the cell cycle. Here we review previous observations and recent data that suggest CKS proteins serve as adaptor proteins that modify the functions of cdc2 throughout the cell cycle.

The mode of action of peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerases in vivo: binding vs. catalysis

Polypeptides often display proline-mediated conformational substates that are prone to isomer-specific recognition and function. Both possibilities can be of biological significance. Distinct families of peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases) evolved proved to be highly specific for proline moieties arranged in a special context of subsites. Structural and chemical features of molecules specifically bound to the active site of PPIases served to improve catalysis of prolyl isomerization rather than ground state binding. For example, results inferred from receptor Ser/Thr or Tyr phosphorylation in the presence of site-directed FKBP12 mutant proteins provided evidence for the crucial role of the enzymatic activity in downregulating function of FKBP12.